2009 ACE Program - San Francisco, CA - October 23-27


Registration is now open for the 2009 JCAHPO Annual Continuing Education (ACE) program. Check out the following news and links to everything you'll need to register for this year's ACE program.

2009 ACE Web Site

We’ve changed the way you access information for this year’s ACE program. This custom site, www.jcahpo.org/ace09, details event registration, scheduling, and links to essential documents in an easy-to-follow, user-friendly format.

Visit the 2009 ACE Web site and see for yourself!

Virtual Bulletin

The Virtual Bulletin is your digital connection to detailed 2009 ACE program information. This cutting-edge e-book makes accessing information fast, easy, and fun.

Check out the latest interactive reference resource for the 2009 ACE program.

Employer Support Tools
The Employer Support Tools help you seek employer financial support for the 2009 ACE program. Use these form templates and step-by-step instructions to help convince your employer of the value of the ACE program. Make a strong case for your professional development. Click here.

iPod Touch Give-away

Register to be a recipient of a NEW iPod Touch during the 2009 ACE Registration Give-away! In the months leading up to ACE, JCAHPO will hold a drawing to select winners.

All early-bird and pre-registrations received by August 31, 2009, are eligible. Winners will be selected at random during the pre-registration period and notified immediately. The sooner you register, the sooner you can win.


Harold A. Stein, MD, Lecture

Rolando Toyos, MD, will present the Harold A. Stein, MD, Lecture during JCAHPO’s 2009 Annual Continuing Education program, on October 25, in San Francisco, CA. His lecture titled “Vision and Sports: Optimizing Performance in the Steroid-Free Era” will highlight the importance of innovations in eye care that are helping to benefit modern athletes. Click here for more information on Dr. Toyos and his upcoming address.

Calendar of Events

Mark your calendars in advance for these important upcoming registration dates and deadlines.

Top 10 Reasons to Attend ACE

Registration is officially open! With the event only a few months away, here are a few more reasons to get excited about the largest worldwide continuing education event for ophthalmic allied health.

  1. Win a Free iPod Touch Attendees who register before the August 31 Early-Bird Registration deadline are eligible to win an iPod Touch. A second give-away will be held for registrants that meet the September 25 Pre-Registration Deadline. Just in case you needed more incentive.


  2. Receive a Year’s Worth of Training in 5 DAYS!
    Choose from 325 class hours, 63 hands-on workshops, 42 new courses, sub-specialty sessions, and ATPO Grand Rounds, all led by a volunteer faculty of eye care professionals from around the world. Over the course of 5 days, you will have the opportunity to participate in everything from specialty hands-on workshops to review sessions, or register for sub-specialty sessions and ATPO's Grand Rounds. No other program in the world offers this brand of exclusive, high-quality continuing education and training for OMP.


  3. Job Security
    Professional development at ACE ensures a level of job and skill competency. Beyond the prospect of raises and promotions, continuing education establishes a foundation for career knowledge and training. In the increasingly competitive job market, this sort of passion and commitment separates you from the pack, ranks you as a serious and dedicated professional, and gives you career stability.

  4. Professional Development
    As an ophthalmic professional, you are part of one of the fastest-growing and exciting health specialties today. This is your career, and professional development should be a priority. ACE gives you the educational and training tools to ensure that your professional skills and knowledge remain in top form.


  5. Raise the Quality of Care
    The goal of continuing education and training is to raise the quality of available care for patients. ACE attendees will be surrounded by the latest technologies and innovations in patient care. Any one of these could be a valuable resource that enhances your clinic’s ability to provide a better patient experience.


  6. Develop New Skills
    Confidence. Knowledge. Experience. These are valuable assets in the professional world. At ACE, you cultivate all three. For non-certified personnel or individuals with no experience in eye care, this is an opportunity to start building a career path. Certified personnel, think of that new technique or procedure you’ve been eager to demonstrate. Here's your chance to simulate procedures or new equipment under the instructive eye of a qualified expert.


  7. Earn Credits
    ACE lets you earn both Group A and B credits across a range of subjects toward certification and recertification. In just a few days, you can earn the same amount of credits that might otherwise take an entire year. Make sure your certification is up-to-date and that you have sufficient credits for upcoming certification and recertification deadlines.


  8. Engage Your Interests
    Whether you have been an ophthalmic professional for 10 months or 10 years, only you know what topics and specialties interest you. ACE lets you customize a program schedule that is both appealing and relevant to your daily work. A diverse selection of courses ensures there is something for everyone.


  9. Participate In The Largest Event For Ophthalmic Allied Health
    The Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup, the Olympics; these are all world-class events that showcase the strongest and most exceptional professionals. The ACE program is ophthalmic allied health’s world-class event. Held concurrently with the AAO’s Joint Meeting, ACE attendees receive high-quality education and training from leading specialists, in the center of ophthalmology’s largest international gathering. In addition to courses, attendees find a range of networking opportunities and special events on ophthalmology’s biggest continuing education and certification stage.


  10. Get Certified – Stay Certified
    JCAHPO certification is the benchmark for excellence in the ophthalmic allied health field. Certification at any of JCAHPO’s levels showcases your dedication to your clinic and career. For non-certified personnel, the ACE program is your chance to take that important career step. For certified personnel, it’s an opportunity to maintain the high level of training and education that continues to set you apart.








Glaucoma Treatment

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The content and views expressed within do not represent or reflect the official policies or position
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Exceptions and Prior Authorization:
Important Tools in Ensuring Optimal Patient Care

Optimal patient care plays an important role in the long-term success of glaucoma treatment. In some cases, the most appropriate therapy may not be included on a drug plan’s formulary or may be available with restricted access. When this occurs, technicians can utilize exceptions and prior authorization to help patients gain access to the drug.

Exceptions and prior authorization enable physicians or qualified staff to request the most appropriate medication for patients, regardless of availability on formulary. Exception requests help patients to obtain drugs not available on formulary—or to request higher-tier drugs at a lower-tier co-pay. The prior authorization process helps patients obtain restricted-access drugs. On some plans, the prior authorization process can be used to overcome a step edit or quantity limit and obtain the appropriate IOP-lowering therapy.

To help patients gain access, physicians or qualified staff should fill out “prior authorization forms” or “exception request forms.” These terms are sometimes used interchangeably. On these forms, it is important to clearly explain why the desired medication must be prescribed. If the drug plan sponsor does not approve the request, an appeals process is available.

The Process

Request Forms

Nearly all drug plan sponsors have a unique prior authorization request form, which can be obtained through the sponsor’s Web site or by telephone. On Medicare plans, this is called the Universal Exception Medicare form. Forms must be filled out completely, or they may be returned unprocessed.

Reasons for Requesting an Exception

Request forms require an explanation for why a medication must be prescribed1.

Commonly accepted reasons include1:

Some prior authorization forms list reasons for exceptions; others provide a blank space for the explanation.

Approval (Medicare and Commercial Insurance Plans)2

Physicians or qualified staff members can file a standard request for coverage or, if there is a dire health need, an expedited request. Medicare plans are required to respond to standard requests within 72 hours and expedited requests within 24 hours. For commercial plans, notification times may vary.3,4 More information on this process can be found at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedPrescriptDrugApplGriev/13_Forms.asp.

Appeals

If the exceptions request is not approved, the decision can be appealed. The patient or an appointed representative can file an appeal on any decision made by a Medicare drug plan. Several levels of appeal are available.2 Commercial drug plans have a similar appeal process.4

Summary

Exceptions and prior authorization can help patients obtain the best possible treatment. Through these processes, physicians and technicians can ensure that their patients receive the most appropriate therapy for optimal care—and, ultimately, increase the chances for long-term treatment success.


References: 1. Medicare Part D coverage determination request form. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNproducts/downloads/form_exceptions_final.pdf. Accessed June 5, 2009. 2. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; US Department of Health & Human Services. Medicare prescription drug coverage: how to file a complaint, coverage determination, or appeal. CMS publication no. 1112; April 2006. http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11102.pdf. Accessed June 5, 2009. 3. Mercy Care Plan. Prior authorization. http://www.mercycareplan.com/MCP/MemberPriorAuthorization.aspx. Accessed June 5, 2009. 4. Texas Medical Association. Questions on implementation of the preferred drug list and prior authorization process. http://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=2193. Accessed June 5, 2009.


JCAHPO Webinar Series

The latest way to take courses and earn continuing education credits online is through JCAHPO’s new Webinar (Web-based seminar) series.

Together with the Association of Technical Personnel in Ophthalmology (ATPO®), JCAHPO will co-host the online series monthly on current topics in eye care. The first course titled, “Neuro-ophthalmology Diagnoses You Can’t Afford to Miss” will be presented by JCAHPO Secretary of Education Karl C. Golnik, MD, MEd (date pending). The cost for each webinar registrant is $18.00.

This course will cover deadly and/or blinding conditions such as giant cell arteritis, Horner syndrome, and oculomotor cranial nerve palsy. Following successful completion of a post-webinar quiz, registrants will be awarded 1 JCAHPO Group A credit.

A new featured course topic will be available each month:

Check back for the premier broadcast date and more information on this new online resource for OMP.


JCAHPO's 40th Anniversary: 1969-2009

For 40 years, JCAHPO has proudly served the needs of the ophthalmology community. Our commitment to enhance the quality and availability of ophthalmic patient care by promoting the value of qualified allied health personnel and providing certification and education has remained our guiding philosophy.

For many, it is difficult to imagine eye care without quality education and certification standards for OMP. JCAHPO’s influence over the years has been evident. Since 1969, more than 25,000 people in the U.S., Canada, and around the world have earned JCAHPO certification. JCAHPO certificants facilitate the delivery of quality eye care to patients in 19 countries worldwide. While JCAHPO has grown considerably and much has changed, the founding principles remain firmly intact.

As we celebrate a milestone 40th Anniversary, JCAHPO would like to thank all commissioners, board members, presidents, staff, and OMP (past and present) who have contributed to the development of quality continuing education and certification resources for OMP around the world. We are grateful to everyone who works to make JCAHPO great, and look forward to 40 more years of excellence in eye care.





Continuing Education Calendar

Bringing CE programs to your region! Check out these opportunities to earn JCAHPO credits and receive exclusive hands-on training. Register for the specialty Retina TechTraxSM program at select CE programs*.


Program Location Date
Myrtle Beach, SC September 11-12, 2009
New York, NY* October 1-2, 2009
Norfolk, VA** November 7, 2009
Cincinnati, OH* November 14, 2009
Las Vegas, NV* November 21, 2009
Chicago, IL* December 4, 2009
Orlando, FL* January 16, 2010
Biloxi, MS* January 23, 2010


*Retina TechTraxSM educational series is available in collaboration with Focus-Ed and through an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech Inc.

**This program is partially funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Alcon Laboratories, Inc.


CLAO Montréal Summit

Montréal will be the location for the 2009 Contacts Lens Association of Ophthalmologists’ (CLAO) International Contact Lens Summit, September 24-26, at the Hyatt Regency Montréal. The premier contact lens event of the year will welcome leading experts in contact lenses from around the world lecturing on the latest educational and technical innovations in the field.

Click here for the program agenda and additional registration information.


Certification News

Surgical Assisting Update

Beginning January 1, 2010, JCAHPO will charge recertification fees for all Surgical Assisting sub-specialty holders. Previously, OMP were charged a one-time only fee for the surgical assisting certificate, which was valid as long as their JCAHPO core credential remained active.

Under the new guidelines, personnel will pay $45, due every three years, to maintain the Surgical Assisting sub-specialty, in addition to recertification fees for their JCAHPO core certification, which is a pre-requisite for the Surgical Assisting sub-specialty.

For more information, contact the JCAHPO Certification Department at (651) 731-2944.



COT Multiple-choice Examination Redesign

A Job Task Analysis (JTA) is currently underway to re-evaluate the Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) examination, with a new examination blueprint to be available January 1, 2010. The release of the revised COT multiple-choice examination will be announced at a later date.

JTAs are performed at each of JCAHPO’s certification levels to identify tasks that OMP regularly perform in a practice setting. After review, this information is used to create examination content that reflects the evolving tasks of OMP in the field.


CCOA

In the past, the CCOA and COA examination content has been identical. With the COA examination becoming more technical, JCAHPO is in the process of evaluating how this change relates to the CCOA examination content.

During the evaluation, the examination content areas for the CCOA level will temporarily remain unchanged until further notice. The current content outline was set to expire this fall. For now, all applicants for the examination will follow the current content listing found on page 8 of the Criteria for Certification and Recertification handbook.


Criteria Book Update

Due to an earlier ACE program in 2009, the updated version of JCAHPO's Criteria for Certification and Recertfication handbook will not be available until January 1, 2010. Check the Web site for the latest edition. For further questions, contact the Certification Department at (651) 731-2944.


Foundation News

Strey-Minadakis (pictured second) recieving 2009 Foundation Program Scholarship.

JCAHPO Education and Research Foundation Profile

Congratulations to one of the Foundation's 2009 Program Scholarship recipients, Carrington Strey-Minadakis, from Holyoke Community College (HCC) in Holyoke, MA. Carrington is a 2002 graduate of Richfield High School in Bemidji, MN.

Carrington developed an interest in ophthalmology after working during her summer vacations at The Retina Center of Minneapolis where her father is the clinic manager.

She received her certificate from the Ophthalmic Assisting Program at the HCC commencement ceremony in May 2009 with eleven fellow graduates of the program.

“I owe my success in the class and the honor of receiving the scholarship to my amazing instructors. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to train with and learn from them. Because of my instructors’ dedication and guidance, I have the confidence, abilities, and skills to begin a successful career as an ophthalmic assistant,” said Strey-Minadakis.

Carrington resides in Swanzey, NH, with her husband Demitrios and her 20-month-old daughter Evangelia. She loves spending time with her family, reading, swing and ballroom dancing, and riding her quad on the New Hampshire trails.

Scholarship opportunities are available for:

Visit the JCAHPO Education and Research Foundation Web site for additional application details.


Passing of a Legend

Virginia Boyce 1912-2009

Long-time service advocate for ophthalmic personnel, Virginia S. Boyce, passed away earlier this month at the age of 96. She served JCAHPO admirably as Public Advisor (1982-1992) and as Chair of JCAHPO’s Education and Research Foundation (1990-2000), at which time she retired from public service. Prior to that, her career spanned 45 years with the National Society to Prevent Blindness (now Prevent Blindness America) organizing, teaching, helping others, and advancing preventative health care throughout the world.

Few figures have impacted the role of ophthalmic personnel in modern eye care more than Mrs. Boyce. She was one of the leading voices in the campaign to improve community and voluntary public services provided by ophthalmic personnel and raise the quality of available care. Though she will be missed, her contributions to the ophthalmic allied health field stand as a shining legacy.

A more detailed story of her life and accomplishments will be highlighted in the fall issue of Eye Lights.


Disaster Relief Scholarships

Many of you have heard of the disastrous flooding that occurred in Grand Forks and Fargo, ND, and Moorhead, MN. If you wish to contribute to the Disaster Relief Fund to assist those in need, please go to the Foundation Web site and print out a pledge card. Write DISASTER RELIEF on the card and fax (credit cards only - (651) 731-0410) or mail to:

If you are one of those affected by this disaster, guidelines and applications are available here. You may also call (800) 284-3937, ext. 246, for information. The Foundation would be pleased to assist you with funding for certification examination fees or recertification fees, in addition to continuing education needed for recertification.


Planned Giving

Planned Giving to the JCAHPO Education and Research Foundation is a chance for you to provide future generations of ophthalmic professionals with access to better educational resources. This ensures that high standards and innovations in patient care remain a priority in eye care for years to come.

By becoming a member of the JCAHPO Foundation’s Legacy Society, you can guarantee that your service and dedication to the field of ophthalmology lives on. Visit the Foundation’s Web site for more information on Planned Giving opportunities and how you can include the JCAHPO Education and Research Foundation in your “estate plan” and will, no matter how small the amount.

Knowing when and under what circumstances to update your personal will is important. Consider changing your will in the event of these common occurrences:


Federal Employee Contributions

JCAHPO’s Education and Research Foundation is again certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management to participate in the 2009 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) for federal employees.

Federal employees may select an organization to make contributions pre-tax, via payroll deductions. JCAHPO is listed under National/international unaffiliated agencies, #10889. Since 2004, CFC contributions to the Foundation total more than $4,900.









Recipients of 2009 Certification Scholarships

In 2009, Certification Scholarships totaling $3,325 were awarded to 16 individuals. Congratulations to the following individuals who have demonstrated commitment and/or excellence in the field of ophthalmic assisting. Each received a voucher toward expenses for certification examinations.


Giving Back – Past Scholarship Recipients

Are you one of the foundation’s 726 past scholarship recipients? Would you welcome the opportunity to give back to the scholarship fund that helped you? Many of our scholarship recipients have done just that! Please visit our Web site at www.jcahpo.org/foundation/contribute/ and print out a pledge card to pass on the gift that was given to you.