[Aer-div07] Low Vision List-Serve

[W. Scott Meehan]

Hello, For the past 5 years I have worked part-time (4 to 8 patients per week) with a local Optometrist at an optical superstore.  I provide Low Vision and Blind Rehab services.  I painstakingly developed relationships with every Optometrist and Ophthalmologist in the Augusta, GA area.  All of my patients are referred to me and the attending Optometrist by one of the many Ophthalmologists in the area.  The Optometrist and I jointly administer the Low Vision Exam to the patient.  I am in the exam room with the Optometrist during ALL low vision exams.  I offer suggestions and recommendations to the Optometrist who approves (prescribes) the low vision aides/services.  All services are billed to Medicaid, Medicare, and/or private insurance.  My services are billed incident to the Optometrist, under her “direct supervision”.  I am classified as an employee.  All patients must receive/complete a mini-mental exam at the start of the exam (required for billing purposes).  In addition – I contacted GA Medicare directly and received approval to provide such services.  I have heard of people billing such services independently using codes: 99244 and 99245.  These codes are reserved for the Low Vision Exam itself (performed by an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist) and not for services rendered by a Low Vision/Blind Rehab Therapist.  If anyone wants to see the Low Vision form I personally use for documentation purposes may e-mail me at meehanscott at knology.net,  The document is too large to attach on the listserve.

W. Scott Meehan
706-331-0067 Cell

 On Fri Sep 21 17:55 , Robert Mills  sent:

>Ohio State has program to train Low Vision Optometrists. It takes an additional year of education and training and internship beyond their optometry degree. Indiana also has similar program as does program in Texas where Randy Jose taught. I think Rich Brilliant could be useful with this Question for west coast .  Greg Good was chair of program at the Ohio State University. These problems arise because of the question of liability in our society which has become more liturgic since I retired 10 Years ago. The Pennsylvania College of optometry also has program, and an O&M program they should be useful in this discussion.
>On Sep 20, 2007, at 11:50 AM, Jim Gandorf wrote:     This question recently came up on the O&M Division List Serve; I am cross posting to the Low Vision List Serve for your input as well. FYI, for everyone on the list serve to see your reply click “REPLY TO ALL”  Subject: Scope of Practice for LVT, VRT, O&M I would like to ask you for some feedback about low vision aids recommenced by VRT, LVT and O&M specialists. According to ACVREP Certification Handbook "the CLVT shall work as part of an interdisciplinary team with an ophthalmologist and or optometrist who manages ocular health, provide the clinical low vision examination, prescribes optical devices and approves treatment plans.".... What about areas where low vision examination is not available???  In Colorado field teachers (VRT,O&M,LVT)  introduce our clients to a variety of low vision aids and let them make the choice of what meets their needs. Doing so we use our best professional judgment. What about other states? How do you handle this?  It would be nice to have more clarification from ACVREP about scope of  work for VRT, LVT, O&M  when and where clinical low vision examination is not available.  Thank you for your response. Jadwiga Brown COMS, RT
> Denver Metro Rehabilitation Office
> 2211 W Evans Ave Bldg A
> Denver, CO 80223
> Email: jadwiga.brown at state.co.us
> Phone: (303) 866-3910
> Fax: (303) 866-3419  Jim ==========================================Jim Gandorf, CAEExecutive DirectorAER1703 N. Beauregard St., Ste 440Alexandria, VA 22311jgandorf at aerbvi.org703-671-4500 ext 205 SAVE THE DATE! AER International Conference 2008
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