2019 OALG Meeting Summary


Posted: 02/11/2019
Category: General News


On February 1, 2019 Dr. Andre G. Lee, NANOS President, was pleased to represent NANOS and Neuro-Ophthalmology at the AAO Ophthalmic Advocacy Leadership Group (OALG) Meeting. The AAO information was valuable and timely and below is the summary.

“ It is important that the Academy have input from ophthalmic subspecialties as we look to set federal priorities for 2019. It was clear that Medicare Part B drug payments and other drug issues are on the top of the list. We are at the table as policymakers look at drug payment policy with a goal of improving access, combatting shortages and reducing costs. 

Our efforts with ophthalmic subspecialty societies on timely development of meaningful outcome measures will help to ensure that our members can succeed in the new QPP/MIPS Medicare physician payment program through the IRIS®Registry. It was a great discussion and I think we heard that we may have some new opportunities in neuro ophthalmology and plastics.

We had a chance to directly engage with the FDA official heading regulation of compounded drugs and educate her on the issue of toxicity of preservatives and other challenges our patients face.  

While retina is front and center in Medicare Advantage (MA) plan policy, most ophthalmic subspecialties continue to be frustrated with excessive use and misuse of prior authorization requirements.  

Finally, it was clear that the subspecialty societies recognize the threat of scope of practice issues and the importance of our national and state response. As we mentioned, 2019 will be the most challenging year yet at the state level and if you have not personally made your Surgical Scope Fund donation this year, you can do so at our website. We have been able to win against so many surgical scope battles with the significant donations made by subspecialty and specialized interest societies. We ask that you give extra attention this year and increase your society’s donation where possible.”

Speaker presentations are available below:





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Attention future neuro-ophthalmologists! Applications for 2024-25 neuro-ophthalmology fellowship positions will be coordinated through the SF-Match Ophthalmology Fellowship match.