VISION USA COLLABORATION WITH THE ALABAMA LIONS CLUBS AND THE ALABAMA OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION

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1 VISION USA COLLABORATION WITH THE ALABAMA LIONS CLUBS AND THE ALABAMA OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION NOVEMBER 12, 2016 Sandi Gregson, Community Health Programs Manager, Optometry Cares Zachary Steele, OD, VISION USA Provider 1

2 WHO WE ARE Optometry Cares The AOA Foundation Community Health Programs InfantSEE VISION USA Other Programs Archives & Museum of Optometry Endowment and Scholarships National Optometry Hall of Fame Optometric Historical Society Optometry s Fund for Disaster Relief The mission of Optometry Cares - The AOA Foundation is to expand eye care awareness, education and 2 research and access to eye health and vision care to everyone in the United States in order to enhance human performance and quality of life.

3 AGENDA VISION USA Program Overview How the Program Operates Pilot Project Objective How it Works What s Different Benefits Duration How to get Involved Next Steps 3

4 VISION USA PROGRAM OVERVIEW VISION USA - Volunteers In Service In Our Nation - a program of Optometry Cares The AOA Foundation provides for basic eye health and vision services free-ofcharge to low-income, uninsured individuals and their families. Services for VISION USA are provided by participating optometrists who are members of the American Optometric Association who donate their time to their local communities. More than 430,000 individuals have received care nationwide since the inception of the program in

5 HOW THE PROGRAM OPERATES VISION USA currently works with more than 3,000 registered community outreach agencies that validate eligibility and income levels. Applicants are assigned to a participating optometrist for an examination in their area. Applicant Eligibility Requirements: Have no private or government insurance, including Medicare or Medicaid Have not had an eye exam within the past 24 months Have an income below established guidelines based on household size (200% of FPL) Must be a US citizen or legal resident with a social security or legal resident number Have not received a doctor referral through the VISION USA program in the past two years 5

6 PILOT PROJECT OBJECTIVE To expand availability and ease of access of vision care to low-income, uninsured individuals and their families. 6

7 HOW IT WORKS 1. Alabama Lions Clubs will screen potential applicants to ensure all eligibility criteria are met and submit online application for services through VISION USA for qualified candidates. 2. VISION USA staff process the application and assign patient to the closest volunteer optometrist with availability and doctor assignment to referring Lions Club. 3. Referring Lions Club notifies applicant of the doctor assignment. 4. Applicant schedules appointment within 45 days of receipt of doctor assignment. 7

8 HOW IT WORKS (Continued) 5. Volunteer optometrist provides a no cost eye exam along with basic eyewear (single vision or lined bifocals) to VISION USA patients. No add-ons or upgrades permitted. 6. Volunteer optometrist fills out Patient Information Form and returns to AOA office. 7. VUSA staff reimbursement request for hardware from referring Lions Club. * 8. Lions Clubs will reimburse the volunteer optometrist directly within 30 days of notification. Note: If glasses are not needed, no reimbursement will be requested. 8

9 WHAT S DIFFERENT Alabama Optometric Association will work in conjunction with Optometry Cares The AOA Foundation to actively recruit optometrists to participate in the VISION USA program who will provide an eye exam and glasses to low-income uninsured. Alabama Lions Clubs will begin referring applicants through the VISION USA program to be assigned to a volunteer optometrist to receive a basic eye and vision health examinations and glasses. Alabama Lions Clubs will provide a standardized reimbursement allowance in the amount of $65 to VISION USA providers for frames, lens materials and laboratory services for those patients referred through the VISION USA program. 9

10 BENEFITS Standardize fee structure across the state Standardize application process across the state Increase in patient access to care through expanded service areas Increase in the number of patients served Increase in the number of referral agencies Full data tracking of applicant information 10

11 DURATION OF THE PILOT PROGRAM The pilot program will run from January 1, 2017 December 31,

12 HOW TO GET INVOLVED Disseminate information and promote the program through normal club channels , newsletter, state and district meetings. Each Lions Club location registers with the VISION USA program to be a referring agent for qualified patients and is listed on the VISION USA website. Register online at NOTE: Registered clubs will receive instructions on how to submit applications online. This contains the link to the online application form and should not be shared with applicants. 12

13 NEXT STEPS Initial recruitment period Nov Dec 2016 (recruitment continues throughout 2017) Provider recruitment and education Lions Clubs recruitment and education Distribute instructional materials to volunteer optometrists and Lions Clubs Launch 1Q-2017 for the duration of one year with evaluation after 6 months 13

14 RESOURCES 14

15 VISION USA WEBSITE 15

16 ALABAMA PILOT PROJECT WEBSITE Alabama Lions Clubs (Referral Agency) Reference Materials: Alabama Lions Clubs Council of Governors Presentation Alabama Lions Clubs Information Document Alabama Lions Clubs Frequently Asked Question Reference Document VISION USA Application Worksheet Instructions (Downloadable Materials) 16

17 CONTACT INFORMATION VISION USA Sandi Gregson or Meghan Endicott 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis, MO Toll free: (800) , ext Direct: (314) Website: Alabama Lions Clubs W. Durden Dean, Executive Director Phone: (334) For further information about the program, visit our website: 17

18 Q&A 18

19 THANK YOU 19