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Minnesota optometrists are comfortable prescribers
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ADENA, Minn. - Practicing optometry in a large, rural state such as Minnesota has made prescribing privileges a natural addition, and 5 years after acquiring this right ODs here have begun to shift their focus to hospital privileges and managed care issues.
"I'm a comfortable prescriber, and I hit the ground running when I graduated from school," said Timothy Neitzke, OD, president of the Minnesota Optometric Association. "In a rural area, we have ophthalmology on a consultant basis in our practices, and that means we prescribe."
Dr. Neitzke is also president of Minnesota Eyecare Network, a network of primary eye care clinics in northern Minnesota. In practice with two other optometrists - his father, Al Neitzke, OD, and Jeff Mackner, OD - Dr. Neitzke's practice focuses on geriatric optometry, primary care, contact lenses and cataract and refractive surgery comanagement.
Minnesota passed its therapeutic pharmaceutical agent (TPA) legislation in May 1993. The law allows certified ODs to prescribe topical glaucoma agents, anti-allergy agents, anti-inflammatories, steroids, antibiotics and antihistamines. It excludes oral agents and controlled substances.
Dr. Neitzke said nearly 65% of the state's 500 licensed optometrists prescribe, and optometry's relationship with ophthalmology has improved since TPA law passage.
"TPA privileges, in general, have heightened and reinforced cooperation and professional relationships between Minnesota optometrists and ophthalmologists for the benefit of all our patients," he said. "We've developed a professional camaraderie between the two professions that we did not have prior to a TPA law."
In addition, the state optometric association meets three to four times a year with the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology to discuss issues that affect both professions legislatively and nonlegislatively. "It's been a good, positive experience that keeps the lines of communication open," Dr. Neitzke said.
Hospital privileges
The state association is not actively pursuing TPA expansion at this time, said Dr. Neitzke; he noted that issues related to managed care, direct access and hospital privileges have become priorities. "We continue to look at managed care and how it affects optometry, especially direct access issues," he said.
In Minnesota, many optometrists have successfully obtained hospital privileges, including Dr. Neitzke.
"As an association, we have stressed to our members the importance of applying for and obtaining hospital privileges," he said. "We feel it reinforces the role of the local optometrist as primary eye care provider, as well as helps us stay in line with managed care."
For Your Information:
- Timothy Neitzke, OD, may be contacted at Minnesota Eyecare Network, Neitzke Eye Clinic, 315 South Jefferson, P.O. Box 146, Wadena, MN 56482; (218) 631-1456; fax: (218) 631-3213. Dr. Neitzke has no direct financial interest in any of the products mentioned in this article, nor is he a paid consultant for any company mentioned.