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Continued on Page 3
Vol. 25 Issue 1 January/February 2013
Inside This Issue A Resource Worth
Recommending—IPAT
ND State Board of Optometry
Appointment
NDOA’s 2013 Continuing
Educational Meeting Agenda
New Members of the NDOA
2013 Coding Changes in Eyecare
Optometrists Rank Near Top of
CNNMoney’s List of Best Jobs
in America
Understanding Changes to AOA
Membership Categories & Dues
Payment Schedule
Northern Sights Newsletter
President’s Message ~ Dr. Taya Patzman
codes on a daily basis, which include
corneal foreign body removal,
punctual plugs, and epilation. This bill
is clearly intended to restrict our scope
of practice. This bill, if introduced by
the Medical Board, aims at controlling
our profession, which is already
controlled by our own regulatory
board, the North Dakota Board of
Optometry. This is a problem for all
practicing optometrists in our state.
So the question is, what are we going
to do about it? I was originally going
to write a column about what benefits
each member of the NDOA has access
to. It appears that I have seen
firsthand, in this past week, why I am
a member of the NDOA and AOA.
When Nancy was informed of this
H appy
Holidays!
2012 seemed to
pass by in a flash
and it’s hard to
believe that we are
already looking to
gear up for our
2013 legislative session. It is
unfortunate, that it appears we are in
for an unexpected battle this year. The
Medical Association is proposing to
introduce two bills—a definition of
surgery and a transparency bill.
The surgical bill is most concerning to
our scope of practice. The bill is
intended to define surgery in a laundry
list sort of way, which exempts MD’s,
DO’s, Podiatrists, Dentists, Nurse
Practitioners, and Physician Assistants.
So we have to ask—who is this bill
targeting? As we all know, medical
physicians have been doing surgery for
over a hundred years in North Dakota,
without any confusion and the need for
a definition in the law.
What does this mean for optometry?
By not adding optometry to the list of
health care providers, this bill is
clearly discriminatory against
optometry, with the primary intent of
limiting the scope of care that North
Dakota citizens can receive from
optometrists. Optometrists bill surgical
North Dakota Optometric Association
921 South 9th Street, Ste. 120 Bismarck, ND 58504
Phone: 701-258-6766 Fax: 701-258-9005
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ndeyecare.com
2013 NDOA OFFICERS
Dr. Taya Patzman President
1830 East Century Ave. Ste. 1 Bismarck, ND 58503
701-222-1140 [email protected]
Dr. Paul Dunderland President Elect
PO Box 169 Bottineau, ND 58318
701-228-2219 [email protected]
Dr. Blaine Burdick Vice President PO Box 888
Devils Lake, ND 58301 701-662-2817
Dr. Amy DuBois Secretary/Treasurer
3232 13th Ave. South Fargo, ND 58103
701-280-3000 [email protected]
Dr. Todd Metzger Past President
1702 South University Drive Fargo, ND 58103
701-364-3256 [email protected]
Nancy Kopp Executive Director
President’s Message Continued . . .
Northern Sights January/February 2013 Page 3
D o your patients with varying degrees of vision loss,
express the desire to read a book, identify the bills in
their wallet, or navigate a computer more easily? Do you
wish you had more concrete answers for them? The
Interagency Program for Assistive Technology (IPAT), a
non-profit organization with 20 years of experience in
connecting North Dakotan’s to assistive technology (AT)
devices and services may be your answer.
IPAT serves all people with disabilities, including those
experiencing the effects of aging. IPAT provides four
core AT services to help people discover and get the AT
they need to do what they want to do, even when abilities
change. These services include: AT demonstration
centers, introducing people with disabilities to the range
of AT devices that offer a different way of doing things;
an equipment rental program, allowing people to try
devices before they buy them; AT4ALL, an equipment re
-use program, connecting people to used devices; and
Pedaling for Possibilities, an AT funding program
helping people to purchase devices.
A great place for anyone to start learning about AT
options is at one of IPAT’s demonstration centers. They
are located in Fargo and Bismarck, and are open to the
public Monday through Friday from 9-5. All are invited
to call 800-895-4728 and set up a time to explore the
variety of vision devices available at no charge. The
Centers have equipment ranging from iPads with vision
apps that magnify, identify currency, or colors; to a
selection of electronic magnification systems, over-size
phone keypads with auditory feedback, and computer
access options to include text-to-speech, and screen
reading software.
Next time a patient asks how they can do something in
light of their vision loss, suggest they contact IPAT, and
stay up to date on AT for vision loss by reading IPAT’s
blog at www.ndipat.org.
A Resource Worth Recommending – IPAT By: Peggy Shireley, IPAT ATP
potential legislation, a flurry of activity began. It
started with e-mails amongst the Board members. It
quickly expanded to input from Dr. Dori Carlson,
which blossomed to e-mails and responses from AOA
staff and Board members promptly. We are once again
reminded, that even though we are a small state, we are
not in this alone. We have received consultation from
several AOA Board members and staff, as to the
direction we need to take to fight this bill. I am
confident that we can do it and perhaps potentially turn
this unexpected fight into a win for the optometrists of
North Dakota, by giving us the opportunity to put the
non invasive surgical privileges into our statute and
paving the way for future legislation, if the profession
so desires.
To be successful, we need to band together and be
active in our association. The way we will do this, is by
educating our legislators as to what we do as Doctors
of Optometry. We will be forming a legislative
committee, so if anyone is interested, please contact
me. If this bill is introduced, we will have to provide
testimony in committee meetings and defend our
profession, as only we, can do best. If there ever was a
time to get involved, it’s now!
Help Wanted
Optometrist Wanted: Optometrist position available at
Dakota Eye Care, P.C., in Williston, ND. Excellent earning
potential. For more information, contact Dr. Amanda Lee at
701-577-2020 or by email at [email protected].
Job Seekers
Leslie Hellebush—Graduating from Pacific in 2013
146 2nd Street SE, Garrison, ND 58540,
701-368-9286 [email protected]
Rikson Zollinger—Graduating from SCO in 2013
1838 Cherry Creek Dr., Southaven, MS, 38671
701-367-7548 [email protected]
From The Desk Of Your Executive Director ~ Nancy Kopp
Northern Sights January/February 2013 Page 4
ND State Board of
Optometry Appointment
T he NDOA is asked by the Governor’s Office, to
make recommendations, as to candidates to serve on
the ND State Board of Optometry. The current State
Board OD members are: Dr. Jeffery Yunker of Grand
Forks, Dr. Jill Martinson-Redekopp of Minot, Dr.
Kyle Krein of Devils Lake, Dr. Kevin Melicher of
Fargo and Dr. Tamera Mathison of Jamestown. Dr.
Alan King of Dickinson, serves as Executive Director.
Traditionally, the NDOA has forwarded at least two
names to the Governor. Dr. Kyle Krein’s term expires
on June 30, 2013. Dr. Krein has indicated he is not
interested in serving another 5 year term.
If any NDOA member is interested for nomination to
serve, please contact the NDOA office by February
21, 2013. The members in attendance at the March
Membership Meeting will vote on the
recommendations to the Governor.
“Looking Forward”
A nother year has come and
gone. 2012 was again a year of
change, on a state and national
level. The November elections
revealed just a few surprises. Your
NDOA-PAC did contribute to 64
legislative and congressional
candidates. Of the 64, 57
candidates were elected! As we cannot afford to
contribute to all campaigns, your NDOA-PAC
Committee chose to support, for the most part, the
incumbents who were optometry friendly in the past
and challengers we thought may be electable. In some
cases, we even straddled the fence. Contributions were
made to both party affiliations. Thank you to those that
contributed to the NDOA-PAC. It gives us the
opportunity to show optometry’s interest, as a
regulated profession.
Change is difficult at any age. As we enter a New
Year, I hope that one of your resolutions was, as an
optometrist, to be a member of the NDOA team and
how you will help us shape this organization moving
forward. Has the NDOA, perhaps become complacent
in the past decade? While not necessarily a bad thing to
have a feeling of quiet pleasure, pleased with your
profession’s advantages or accomplishments, often
without awareness of concern for some defect/
problem/potential danger . . . in other words, satisfied?
This upcoming Legislative Session, as well as
Obamacare, sadly, just might change how we all take
care of business and most importantly, your patients.
As I have sent out an alert on a couple of legislative
issues optometry may have to face in our own
backyard, backed by medicine, are a Health Care
Professional Transparency Act and Definition of
Surgery. I have not yet seen a filed copy of either bill,
but the conversations are taking place and we are
trying to offer meaningful amendments already. We all
must come together, to protect all that has been
provided for your Optometric Practice Act, as you
know and are comfortable with. I will be sending out a
list of your district legislators and sincerely hope that
each and every one of you, will take the time to make
contact, with your legislators by phone, e-mail or in
person, on legislative issues that are very important to
you and your practice. Don’t be afraid of telling them
how optometry plays an integral role in the delivery of
primary eye care in North Dakota. I and your Board do
what we can to serve as your “watchdogs”, but only
you, collectively, can make the difference.
As a reminder, 2013 brings some deadlines for you to
voluntarily become ABO certified. April 30th is the
last day to apply to become an Active Candidate under
phase in rules and June 30th is the last day to submit
post graduate requirements (150 points) for verification
under phase-in rules. The last examination under the
phase in rules is January 2014. Based on the survey
results, the NDOA will not be offering a review course.
Visit www.americanboardofoptometry.org for more
information, costs and requirements.
NDOA Continuing Education events scheduled for
2013 are March 21-22 in Bismarck (including Annual
Carrot Cake Day at the Capitol), July 12, Annual Golf
Outing at Hawktree in Bismarck and September 29-
October 1, Annual Congress in Fargo. You would be
pressed to find better quality speakers and topics at
other conferences, all of which you have more travel
expenses. If you don’t find what you're looking for on
the NDOA agendas, tell us! We’re always willing to try
new ideas.
The fun, games and cherished moments of the holidays
are part of the recent past. I’m ready to get down to
what I enjoy too, and that is representing you, your
profession and your patients. Will you join me?
“Happy New Year”!
Dr. Nicole Collins
Bergstrom Eye & Laser Clinic
2601 South University Dr.
Fargo, ND 58103
Phone: 701-235-5200
Fax: 701-237-0927
E-mail: nicolecollinsod@
gmail.com
Welcome New Members of the NDOA!
Dr. Ashley Benz
TLC Laser Eye Center
3003 32nd Ave. SW, Ste. 8
Fargo, ND 58103
Phone: 701-293-8101
Fax: 701-293-7998
E-mail: ashley.benz@
tlcvision.com
Dr. Jaime Hoenke
US Vision
2800 S Columbia Rd. Ste. 3
Grand Forks, ND 58201
Phone: 701-746-4810
Fax: 701-746-9260
E-mail: jaime.hoenke@
pacificu.edu
Dr. Kari Burgard
Trinity Regional Eyecare
1321 West Dakota Parkway
Williston, ND 58801
Phone: 701-572-7641
Fax: 701-572-7710
E-mail: karijburgard@
gmail.com
Dr. Adam Motacek
Lifetime Vision Source
300 2nd Ave. NE, Ste. 102
Jamestown, ND 58401
Phone: 701-252-2020
Fax: 701-251-2801
E-mail: ajmotacek@
gmail.com
Dr. Tracie Teig Malsom
Sears Optical
3902 13th Ave. South
West Fargo, ND 58078
Phone: 701-235-0280
E-mail: tteig@
yahoo.com
Dr. Cynthia Roles
Trinity Regional Eyecare
1321 West Dakota Parkway
Williston, ND 58801
Phone: 701-572-7641
Fax: 701-572-7710
E-mail: cynthia.roles@
trinityhealth.org
Dr. Matthew Sanders
Bagan Strinden Vision
4344 20th Ave. SW
Fargo, ND 58103
Phone: 701-293-8242
Fax: 701-293-0909
E-mail: mattsanders@
pacificu.edu
Dr. Brittany Schauer
Vision Source—Mandan
107 6th Ave. NW
Mandan, ND 58554
Phone: 701-663-0313
Fax: 701-663-1604
E-mail: bbecker@
pacificu.edu
REGISTRATION FORM
ON REVERSE SIDE
Friday, March 22, 2013
7:30—8:00 A.M.
Breakfast
8:00—10:00 A.M.
COPE #: 33290-SD
Ocular Manifestations in Autoimmune Disease
Speaker: Dr. Blair Lonsberry
10:00 A.M.—12:00 P.M.
COPE #: 33259-AS
Grand Rounds: A String of Pearls
Speaker: Dr. Nathan Lighthizer
12:00—1:00 P.M.
Lunch/Membership Meeting
1:00—3:00 P.M.
COPE #: 34395-AS
Laser Procedures for the Optometric Physician:
YAG Cap, LPI, ALPI, ALT & SLT
Speaker: Dr. Nathan Lighthizer
3:00—4:00 P.M.
COPE #: 31530-AS
Uveitis: Systemic & Ocular Approaches to Management
Speaker: Dr. Nathan Lighthizer
4:00—5:00 P.M.
COPE #: 31532-PD
ERG, EOG, VER: Electrodiagnostics Alphabet Soup
Speaker: Dr. Nathan Lighthizer
NDOA’s 2013 Legislative & Continuing Educational Meeting
March 21-22, 2013
Radisson Inn—605 East Broadway Ave.—Bismarck, ND
Thursday, March 21, 2013
8:00—11:00 A.M.
NDOA Board of Directors Meeting
11:00 A.M.—1:00 P.M.
“NDOA Carrot Cake Day” at the Capitol
1:30 P.M.
Registration
2:00—4:00 P.M.
COPE #: 28958-SD
Diagnosing & Managing Ocular Urgencies & Emergencies
Speaker: Dr. Blair Lonsberry
4:00—6:00 P.M.
COPE #: 32377-SD
Lab Testing: The Basics
Speaker: Dr. Blair Lonsberry
6:00—7:00 P.M.
COPE #: 35055-OP
Oral Pharmaceuticals in Ocular Surface
Infection & Inflammation
Speaker: Dr. Blair Lonsberry
7:00—8:00 P.M.
Welcome Social/Hospitality
Dinner On Your Own
Northern Sights January/February 2013 Page 5
O.D. Registration Form
NDOA’s 2013 Continuing Education Conference March 21-22, 2013
Radisson Inn ~ 605 East Broadway Ave., Bismarck, ND Phone: 701-255-6000
Name: ___________________________________________________ OE Tracker #: ____________________________________ (Please Print Clearly!)
E-Mail: _______________________________________________ Phone: ______________________ Fax: ____________________ Business Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
*Please complete a registration form for each Doctor attending!
Please make your room reservations ASAP! Room Block Cut Off Date is February 29.
Reservations can be made by calling the Radisson Inn at
701-255-6000. Be sure you indicate the NDOA room block when
you call for a discount.
EARLY BIRD DEADLINE IS
MARCH 1, 2013!
Return this form with your check or credit card
information to:
North Dakota Optometric Association
921 South 9th Street, Suite 120
Bismarck, ND 58504
Phone: (701) 258-6766 Fax: (701) 258-9005
Total Enclosed
Total Enclosed
Registration Fee (Includes all meals & breaks) EARLY BIRD AFTER 3/1/13 AMOUNT
NDOA/AOA Member $75.00 $100.00
Non-NDOA/AOA Member $150.00 $175.00
EDUCATION NDOA/AOA Member Non-NDOA/AOA Member AMOUNT
3/21 “Diagnosing & Managing Ocular Urgencies . . . . .”
2 Hours Dr. Blair Lonsberry
2 @ $20.00 = $40.00
2 @ $60.00 = $120.00
3/21 “Lab Testing: The Basics”
2 Hours Dr. Blair Lonsberry
2 @ $20.00 = $40.00
2 @ $60.00 = $120.00
3/21 “ Oral Pharmaceuticals in Ocular Surface . . . ”
1 Hour Dr. Blair Lonsberry
1 @ $20.00 = $20.00
1 @ $60.00 = $60.00
3/22 “Ocular Manifestations in Autoimmune Disease”
2 Hours Dr. Blair Lonsberry
2 @ $20.00 = $40.00
2 @ $60.00 = $120.00
3/22 “Grand Rounds—A String of Pearls”
2 Hours Dr. Nathan Lighthizer
2 @ $20.00 = $40.00
2 @ $60.00 = $120.00
3/22 “Laser Procedures for the Optometric Physician . . .”
2 Hours Dr. Nathan Lighthizer
2 @ $20.00 = $40.00
2 @ $60.00 = $120.00
3/22 Uveitis: Systemic &Ocular Approaches . . . .”
1 Hour Dr. Nathan Lighthizer
1 @ $20.00 = $20.00
1 @ $60.00 = $60.00
3/22 Uveitis: Systemic &Ocular Approaches . . . .”
1 Hour Dr. Nathan Lighthizer
1 @ $20.00 = $20.00
1 @ $60.00 = $60.00
Total:
For planning purposes, please check below each days events that you will be attending. All events and meal functions
are included in your registration fee, unless noted.
Thursday’s Events Friday’s Events Thursday—NDOA Carrot Cake Day at the Capitol Friday—Breakfast
Thursday—Welcome Social/Hospitality Friday—Lunch
Visa Mastercard
Credit Card Number: _______________________________
Expiration Date: _________ CVV Code_____________
Billing Address:_____________________________________
City, State, Zip:_____________________________________
Cardholders Name:__________________________________ (Please Print)
Cardholders Signature: ______________________________
Northern Sights January/February 2013 Page 7
A ll health care providers must be familiar with the two
key references in health care; Current Procedural
Terminology (CPT© American Medical Association), and
International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition. The
AMA CPT and ICD-9 are the ONLY coding references for
diagnosis codes, visits and procedures that are accepted by
Medicare and Medicaid and the only coding references
required by HIPAA.
The first step in committing all doctors in your practice to
accurate medical records and coding for next year is to be
sure that you have the 2013 edition of CPT. To make
accurate choices of procedure codes you must have the
current Current Procedural Terminology and it must be the
official AMA CPT. Other publishers’ “versions” of CPT are
available, but they may distort the true definitions and
should not be depended upon for accuracy. In daily use in
your practice and definitely during an audit, AMA’s CPT is
what you need.
The following is a summary of key changes in the 2011,
2012 and 2013 editions of CPT:
2011 92135 Retinal imaging, ‘unilateral’, was deleted and
replaced by three new codes, each classified
‘unilateral/bilateral’:
92132 Anterior Segment Imaging
92133 Imaging, Optic Nerve
92134 Imaging, Retina
Note: Medicare’s reimbursement for the each of the new
codes is nearly identical for both eyes to previous reimbursement for 92135 for one eye! It is acceptable to bill
the same, whether the test is done on one eye or both (per recent CPT Assistant © AM A update). No modifier is
required, since there will not be any adjustment to
reimbursement, up or down.
CPT added two codes used primarily by physicians taking
fundus photos of patients with systemic diabetes and sending
them to a remote ‘reading center’ to analyze the presence or
progression of retinal disease.
92227 Remote imaging for the detection of retinal
disease—unilateral or bilateral
Note: Do not report 92227 in conjunction with 92002,
92014, 92133, 92134, 92250, 92228 or with the evaluation
and management of the single organ system, the eye, 99201-99350.
92228 Remote imaging for monitoring and management of
active retinal disease—unilateral or bilateral
Note: Do not report 92228 in conjunction with 92002-
“2013 Coding Changes in Eye Care” Written By: Charles B. Brownlow, OD, FAAO
AMA CPT is available to AOA members at
AMA members’ prices through the
AOA Order Department, 1-800-262-2210.
Continued on Page 8
92014, 92133, 92134, 92250, 92227 or with the evaluation and management of the single organ system, the eye, 99201-
99350)
2012
CPT deleted two eye care codes in 2012 after surveying
providers and finding few, if any, physicians actually doing
either of the procedures. They are 92120—Tonography and
92130—Tonography with water provocation.
Note: Use the CPT Category 3 code, 0198T, to report ocular
blood flow measurements.
Another code, 92070—Fitting of contact lens for treatment
of disease, including supply of lens, was deleted and
replaced with two new codes, 92071—Fitting of contact lens
for treatment of ocular surface disease (also used for
bandage CL), and 92072—Fitting of contact lens for
management of keratoconus, initial fitting.
Note: According to CPT Assistant (© AMA) “report supply
of lens separately with 99070 or appropriate supply code”
e.g. HCPCS code
2013 Several codes had language changes for 2013, though the
numbers stayed the same. For your reference, we’ve put the
new or additional wording in bold italics and have used
strike through for deleted language:
92015—Determination of refractive state (For
instrument based ocular screening, use 99174)
92132—Scanning computerized ophthalmic diagnostic
imaging, anterior segment, with interpretation and
report, unilateral or bilateral. For specular microscopy
and endothelial cell analysis, use 92286
92286—Anterior segment photography imaging, with
specular microscopy and endothelial cell count analysis
Changes in definitions for 92002, 92012, 92004, 92014
include, “Interpretation and report by the physician or
other qualified health care professional is an integral
part of special ophthalmological services where
indicated…”, and “(For distinguishing between new
and established patients, see Evaluation and
Management guidelines)”
Note: Those guidelines are found at the front of the CPT manual
In the section “Spectacle Services (Including Prosthesis
for Aphakia)”, “When provided by the physician, fitting
of spectacles is separate service when provided by the
physician and is reported as indicated by 92340-
92371…Presence of the physician or other qualified
health care professional is not required.”
Ophthalmic Surgery Code Changes, 2013 Note: Some
of these codes may not be common in optometric
practice, and are provided in the interest of
complete reporting
Optometrists Rank Near Top of
CNNMoney’s List of Best Jobs in America
C NNMoney has ranked optometrists No. 12 on its
recently released list of “100 Best Jobs in America”.
The list, which was compiled with the help of
compensation experts, PayScale.com, began with over
9000 job titles, which were whittled down to those
professions that require at least a bachelor’s degree. Some
of the information the experts focused on was good pay (researchers responsible for the list cite the median pay for
an experienced optometrist as $105,000 and top pay as
$149,000), reasonable hours and emergency calls are rare.
Other factors included growth opportunities, stress brought
by the job, flexibility of the profession, overall satisfaction
and how they feel their job affects the world.
This is not the first time optometry has been lauded as a
desirable career choice. Not only did optometry make
Kiplinger’s 13 Best Careers list in 2010, they also made
CNNMoney’s 2010’s list of 100 Best Jobs in America.
2013 Coding Changes
in Eye Care Continued. . . .
Note: No Changes in International Classification of
Diseases for 2013 or 2014! It is also important to note that
there are no changes in ICD-9 codes for 2013, nor will there
be any in 2014. The next change in diagnosis coding will
be the big one, when ICD-10 becomes the ‘law of the land’
on October 1, 2014.
65805, Deleted, replaced with…
65800, Paracentesis of anterior chamber of eye (separate procedure); with removal of aqueous,
and in the definition of the code…
67810, Incisional biopsy of eyelid skin including lid
margin, “(for biopsy of skin of the eyelid, see
11100, 11101, 11310, 11313)”
Northern Sights January/February 2013 Page 8
In-Office Preparation for Medical Record Keeping and
Coding, 2013
All doctors and key staff should read the 2013 CPT defini-
tions for your practice’s 20-30 most commonly billed ser-
vices. Clear and thorough knowledge of CPT coding for
2013 is only possible if you have the 2013 AMA CPT. The
only way to avoid embarrassment and expensive audit issues
is to use each CPT code only if the medical record content
of the visit or procedure matches the definition for the code!
Northern Sights January/February 2013 Page 9
T his past July, at the AOA House of Delegates in
Chicago, there were a number of By-laws amendments
approved that affect members. At NDOA’s annual
membership meeting in October, we addressed these By-law
changes and amended our own policies to align our
membership structure to reflect most of these changes. The
following information outlines these changes, so that you
may better understand how they will shape your
membership dues structure.
Dues Payments Timeline: Keeping Your Membership “In
Good Standing”
First, the AOA House of Delegates approved a strict
timeline for keeping membership “in good standing”.
The NDOA mails annual dues information and invoices to
the membership at the beginning of December for the
upcoming new year, which are due and payable on January
1st.
We prefer that dues be paid in one payment at the beginning
of the year. Both the NDOA and AOA have operating
expenses throughout the year and timely payment of dues
keeps cash flow healthy. However, the NDOA has several
payment options in place to accommodate your needs,
including quarterly and bi-annual payments by check or
automatic payments if using a credit card.
What’s important to point out is, as a result of the AOA By-
laws changes, beginning in 2013, the AOA will require that
25% of dues be paid to the AOA by the end of each quarter
or membership will be terminated.
If you fall behind in your dues payments, your AOA
membership and benefits would be affected. We strongly
suggest that you enroll in our auto-pay program to avoid
losing out on your membership benefits.
For example, beginning in 2013, 25% of dues must be paid
to the NDOA by the end of March, which we will remit to
the AOA. The AOA will terminate membership in May for
anyone who has not paid 25% of their dues obligation.
Likewise, for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters of the year.
Doctors will no longer be able to maintain their membership
if dues are not current. Please be mindful of these new
strictly enforced deadlines.
Membership Classifications
The AOA House of Delegates also approved a series of
changes to eligibility requirements for membership
classifications that allow for the payment of less than full
dues. The following AOA changes are effective in 2013:
Active Membership: Active members pay full dues. The 5-year ascending scale of dues for new licensees remains in
effect with no changes. However, the descending scale of
dues for those age 70 and over has been eliminated. Most of
the members in the descending scale will now be eligible to
apply to be a Life Member and for those who are not
eligible, the NDOA will work with you to determine how to
best maintain your membership and benefits.
Special Class Membership: The AOA Special Class
category has been eliminated. These individuals will become
Active members unless they meet the eligibility
requirements for another membership category. Again, the
NDOA will be reaching out to those in this classification to
find a suitable membership level.
Retired Membership: AOA Retired members previously
had no dues requirements. Retired members may now
choose to receive benefits at a dues obligation of $100 per
year or may choose to be a member in name only with no
benefits and zero dues.
Life Membership: AOA Life membership will now be
granted to those individuals who have been a member for 45
years, regardless of age. There are no dues obligation for life
members. Individuals who qualified for life membership
prior to the effective date of this change will retain their Life
membership. Life members do not have to be retired from
practice to be eligible for this membership class.
Partial Practice Membership: The AOA Partial Practice
membership has been changed to apply to those individuals
who practice 16 or fewer hours per week at 60% of full dues
obligation. Individuals who practice more than 16 hours per
week will no longer be eligible for the AOA’s Partial
Practice membership.
The NDOA, has also changed its Partial Practice dues
structure to match the AOA’s. By 2014, all partial practice
members will pay 60% of full membership dues. All
members affected by this change will be contacted
personally to review your dues status and determine what
options are available to you.
Miscellaneous Changes
The following additional By-laws changes also affect
membership:
All membership categories no longer require a license to
practice.
Changes in membership classification will be limited to
once per year. Those changes effective in the first half of
the year will be retroactive to the beginning of the year,
those in the second half will take affect at the end of the
year. This will make tracking membership easier and
simplify bookkeeping procedures, since each member
will be in only one dues classification for the entire year.
It is very important that you contact the NDOA in
January if you see that you will need to apply for Partial
Practice or a waiver.
Previously, members were required to be a member of
the state in which their primary practice was located,
they may now be a member of the state in which they
work or live.
Understanding Changes to AOA Membership Categories & Dues Payment Schedules
Bismarck, ND 701-223-7640
Northern Sights January/February 2013 Page 10
