Membership Benefits

Savings on your malpractice insurance
PAO members who are OMIC policy holders are eligible to receive an additional
3% discount in addition to the 5% risk management premium discount per year.

Legislative Advocacy
To ensure that the concerns for quality patient care are addressed in the legislature, PAO leaders, with the assistance of our government relation consultants, have been working hard to develop and maintain a strong, positive relationship with our state legislators. By having a “seat at the table,” we can improve our chances of influencing developments in our favor. As we educate our legislators about the practice of ophthalmology, we help strengthen their appreciation of our issues and foster their support.

Managed Care Representation
Through its representation on Pennsylvania's Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee and its relationship with many major third party payers, the PAO monitors, provides input and reports to its members on new rules, regulations, and changes that affect both the practice of ophthalmology and the quality of medical care delivered to the citizens of Pennsylvania.

PAO also advocates on Ophthalmologists' behalf with many of the major insurers, HMOs and managed care companies. Often this intervention is triggered by members alerting the Society to unfair or inconsistent payment policies.

Coding and Billing Seminars
In conjunction with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, PAO sponsors a series of Advanced Coding Seminars across the state. The programs are designed to assist Ophthalmologists and their office staff in documentation and reimbursement issues. The course text is ophthalmology and state specific and is updated each year.

Coding and Reimbursement Assistance Program
The PAO provides timely responses to member inquiries regarding coding/reimbursement and third-party payer questions.

Bulletins and Alerts
FOCUS, PAO's up-to-the minute news bulletin is provided in five content specific formats: Regulatory Update, Legislative Update, Coding and Reimbursement, Academy News and ALERT. These bulletins keep members informed of developments in the rapidly changing health care environment and are sent to members monthly or as news happens. Members may choose to receive Focus in one of three different formats: as a printed mailer, fax broadcast or email newsletter.

Registration Discounts
PAO members and their staffs receive a discount on all events and programs sponsored by the Academy.

Liaison with Other Medical Societies
AAO Council—The specific concerns of Pennsylvania Ophthalmologists are advanced at the national level by the PAO's three representatives to the AAO Council. The Council meets twice a year to act on and receive status reports on Council Advisory Recommendations formulated by state societies and subspecialty organizations.

Pennsylvania Medical Society—The PAO is represented on the Pennsylvania Medical Society's Specialty Leadership Cabinet in order to provide input on issues that impact the practice of medicine.

Find an EyeMD
The PAO has updated its website to include a searchable database that allows the public to search for an ophthalmologist in their area. This benefit is only available to PAO members.

Website
The PAO has refined and is continuing to update its website to meet the changing needs of the members. Our new site includes: public information; a searchable database to find an ophthalmologist in a specific area; a members only section, which includes legislative updates and member specific news; a calendar of events; and much more.