Vision Council releases regulatory monitoring service for teleoptometry
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The Vision Council has launched PolicyWatch, an online regulatory monitoring service for the optical industry to improve access and understanding of teleoptometry-related legislative issues, the nonprofit announced in a press release.
The resource, which is open to all companies and organizations, offers real-time updates on laws, regulation and legislation specific to teleoptometry across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., the release stated.
“As teleoptometry continues to play an increasingly vital role in health care delivery, it’s imperative for practitioners and stakeholders to stay abreast of the dynamic regulatory environment,” Michael Vitale, ABOM, vice president of membership, government relations and technical standards at The Vision Council, said in the release.
In addition to providing nationwide regulatory and legislative monitoring, the subscription-based service also includes detailed state-level insights into professional requirements and practice scope, information about reimbursement and payer implications, email alerts for regulatory updates and downloadable summaries for each state.
“Understanding state regulations for remote eye exams is not only crucial for compliance but also for ensuring that patients receive the highest quality of care regardless of their location,” Vitale said in the release. “PolicyWatch empowers members of industry to navigate this complex landscape with confidence, ultimately benefiting both practitioners and patients alike.”
Editor's Note: This article was updated on April 19, 2024, to include a perspective from Healio | PCON Editor Michael D. DePaolis, OD, FAAO.
Perspective
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The National Academy of Medicine, formerly the Institute of Medicine, defines telemedicine as “the use of electronic information and communication technologies to provide and support health care when distance separates the participants.”
In this respect, it’s safe to say we’ve been practicing telemedicine or, more specifically, teleoptometry all our professional lives. However, it wasn’t until COVID-19’s social distancing, clinic closures and quarantine mandates that teleoptometry became part of our vernacular. What recent history has taught us is that teleoptometry is feasible, scalable, patient accepted and here to stay.
The challenges of teleoptometry, however, are not insignificant. Is a remote or hybrid model better? Can technology provide remote data collection on par with in-person visits? Are we limited in what we can do, and are there unforeseen liabilities? Will it be financially feasible? And, where will practitioners find answers to these questions?
As an optometrist, I’m confident in our collective capabilities to solve the clinical challenges of teleoptometry. I am less certain of our ability to navigate teleoptometry’s legal and regulatory aspects, which makes The Vision Council’s PolicyWatch initiative so valuable.
While not intended as “all things” teleoptometry, PolicyWatch provides valuable insight into regulatory developments on both a state and federal level. While I welcome PolicyWatch as an authoritative watchdog, I also realize its overall impact largely hinges on disseminating information in an accurate, timely and far-reaching fashion. I am confident The Vision Council will execute an effective strategy to do so.
Reference:
- Field MJ. Telemedicine: A Guide to Assessing Telecommunications for Health Care. National Academies Press; 1996.
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