215907 Health Care Reform: Implications for Optometry, Ophthalmology and Vision Plans

Monday, November 8, 2010 : 1:29 PM - 1:43 PM

Mort Soroka, PhD , Center for Vision Care Policy, State University of New York College of Optometry, New York, NY
Health-care legislation will affect vision benefits, vision plans, optometry and ophthalmology. Although the inclusion of children's eye examinations as a benefit in health reform is a most laudable achievement, the requirement that children's vision care to be bundled with medical policies could adversely affect existing vision benefit plans. The exclusion of stand-alone vision plans from directly competing on heath exchanges may affect both cost and access to vision care. The imposition of a 40% excise tax on employer-sponsored health plans with values that exceed certain levels (Luxury Plans) poses a threat to vision plans and Flexible Spending Accounts.The way legislation treats vision plans, and the taxation of insurance benefits, may cause a disruption in vision coverage for adults. Among these unintended consequences are reduced access to adults and increased costs to consumers. As legislative leaders continue to draft and revise health care reform bills, it is incumbent that optometric leaders evaluate any proposed legislation and ensure the interests of the profession and the patients being served.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Discuss health care reform as it applies to vision care services Explain the most recent legislative proposals and acts as they relate to vision and eye care Compare several different approaches as they unraveled during the competing House and Senate bills Evaluate the consequences of health reform on managed vision benefits of vision services for children and adults.

Keywords: Vision Care, Health Care Reform

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a faulty member at the State College of Optometry State University of New York, and the Director of the Center for Vision Care Policy. I am also a consultant to a managed care vision plan and have received prior grants and funding from several optometry organizations. This contributed paper represents work solely as a faculty member at the University. No funding has been received from any other organization
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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