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AAOE Program of the 2010 Joint Meeting
McCormick Place - Oct. 16 to 19
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Information for MDs about the AAOE Program
Top 10 Reasons for an Ophthalmologist to Attend the AAOE Program
From the AAOE Board of Directors
- The physician, not the biller or administrator, is ultimately responsible for correct CPT and diagnosis coding.
- This is your career. You’ve invested many years and dollars before you ever begin to practice. You must take personal responsibility for getting your career off to a good start and sustaining a successful practice.
- Those who ignore the business aspects of practice may later suffer the consequences of embezzlement, poor cash flow, denied claims due to later filings and be subject to legal ramifications.
- Physicians receive little to no practice management training. You must understand the process, plans, procedures, and strategy to be successful in practice.
- Fostering a collaborative partnership between you and your administrator is crucial to achieving your practice goals and ensuring success. However this is difficult to achieve if you don’t understand the business aspects of practice.
- Because ignorance is no excuse.
- The rules change every year — you need to keep up to date.
- You’ll learn new ideas to keep your practice competitive.
- You’ll meet others facing similar challenges and how they are confronting these issues.
- You are already at the meeting so take full advantage of the programs being presented by physicians, consultants and other experts.
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FAQs
Q: Do I need to be a member of AAOE to attend an instruction course?
A: No. AAOE instruction courses can be purchased by members and non-members.
Q: My administrator attends the meeting with me. Why do I also need to attend the practice management courses?
A: Communication is imperative to the success of your practice. When a physician and administrator attend a program together they can collectively discuss how to integrate the new information into the practice.
Q: Who presents the material at the AAOE courses?
A: Many of the courses are presented by panel teams made up of one or more physicians, an administrator and a consultant. Panelists understand your challenges, and have developed hands-on solutions to meet your needs.
Q: Are CME credits available for AAOE courses?
A: Yes, all AAOE courses are CME bearing activities.
Q: Can physicians attend the AAOE free programs?
A: Yes, but seating is limited for some programs.
Q: What types of courses are appropriate for physicians to attend?
A: AAOE courses are developed around seven competency areas. Most courses are appropriate for physicians to attend whether you are a new associate, physician owner or managing physician. Listed below are a few options to consider. For complete course descriptions explore the Virtual Advance Program brochure or visit the AAOE Program of the 2010 Joint Meeting page.
Course Fees per hour of instruction (except where otherwise noted): Advanced Fee $25 Onsite Fee: $35.
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Business Operations and Finance
SUNDAY—
Why and How to Have an Effective Owners' Retreat (Course 191)
12:15 P.M. to 1:15 P.M.
Synopsis: This course is designed to enable attendees (physicians and administrators) to understand when they may benefit from a structured Owners’ Retreat and how to design a productive retreat. The presenters have experience in designing and participating in multiple effective Owners’ retreats as a physician-owner, an administrator and a facilitator.
Hiring an Ophthalmologist for Your Practice (Course 192)
12:15 P.M. to 1:45 P.M.
Synopsis: Adding an associate to the practice requires careful planning and attention to detail. Whether you are hiring the first associate or not, this course will provide you with an understanding of the activities that can result in a practice having a successful outcome.
Negotiating Your Buy-In (Course 224)
2 P.M. to 4:15 P.M.
Synopsis: This course addresses, from the young doctor perspective, the various practical, business and legal aspects of negotiating a buy-in and associated "partnership" arrangements.
Powering Success: Operational Efficiencies & Benchmarking – An OOSS/AAOE Initiative for the Ophthalmic ASC (Course 442)
3:15 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.
Synopsis: This course will provide an overview of benchmarking for the ophthalmic ASC, including a brief history and background, reasons for benchmarking from the administrators perspective, the process and steps involved, and highlights of the current OOSS Benchmarking Initiative, including key business and clinical benchmarks. The moderator will introduce each topic and panel members, including an administrator and clinical expert will share perspectives and experience as relates to each topic.
How to Value an Ophthalmology Practice (Course 260)
4:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.
Synopsis: This course is a basic, nuts and bolts guide to appraisal of an ophthalmology practice, whether for buy-in, buy-out, sale or merger. The course will review the standard models employed to value ophthalmology practices, and demonstrate how they apply.
MONDAY—
Tracking Your Dollars: Financial Policies for Small Practices (Course 216)
9 A.M. to 10 A.M.
Synopsis: In times of increasing costs and decreasing reimbursement it is crucial that physician owners and administrators keep a finger on the pulse of a practice’s finance. This course will share a financial policy written to help physicians, administrators, and staff in understanding, monitoring, and following all the various financial flows in today’s practices.
A Physician's Guide to Avoiding Embezzlement (Course 332)
9 A.M. to 10 A.M.
Synopsis: It has been estimated that one in six doctors will experience embezzlement at some time during their practice years. A busy doctor is an easy target for embezzlement and in a down economy, a doctor may be even more at risk. The importance of educational, credit checks and drug screening will also be covered as well as practice policies and procedures implementation. Savvy embezzlers can fool even the most experienced employers, so learn how to protect yourself. Real life case examples will be discussed.
Mission Possible: Transitioning From a Small to a Large Practice (Course 353)
10:15 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Synopsis: Too many ophthalmologists and practice administrators fail to plan adequately for how governance and decision making should change as the practice grows with the addition of physicians. Addressing such issues is the joint responsibility of the practice administrator and physician leadership. This course is designed to help ophthalmologists and practice administrators develop effective strategies for transitioning from a small to a large practice. The focus of the session will be organizational culture, governance and decision making, shareholder buy sell issues, disruptive physician policies and insurance issues.
Medicare Reimbursement in the Ophthalmic ASC: Optimizing Payment, Improving Compliance (Course 355)
10:15 A.M. to 11:15 A.M.
Synopsis: The ophthalmic ASC now accounts for more than half of Medicare ASC volume and expenditures and has become the primary choice of surgeons and patients for site of surgery. As reimbursement for eye procedures has increased, so has the scrutiny of regulators. This course will encompass: the impact of health care reform on the future of ASCs; the 2010 final and 2011 proposed CMS payment rules; contemporary billing and coding challenges facing ASCs; and, strategies for avoiding audit, overpayment, and fraud claims.
Tax Reduction, Corporate Structure, and Benefit Planning for Today's Ophthalmologist: How to Thrive in a Challenging Economic Environment (Course 372)
10:15 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Synopsis: Declining reimbursement, higher overhead expenses and increasing taxes make the ophthalmologist's financial well-being more challenging than ever as we enter a new decade. In this presentation, the lecturer will explain the following: the pros and cons of each type of legal entity for a medical practice; why multiple entities may be desirable and how other pain practices have utilized such arrangements; the various types of retirement plans a practice can implement, including qualified, non-qualified and “hybrid”,; the use of captive insurance arrangements in pain practices and more.
Financial Analysis and Reporting (Course 386)
11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Synopsis: This course is designed to provide tools and technique for prospectively and retrospectively analyzing an Ophthalmology practice’s financial performance.
How to Avoid Joining the Wrong Practice: Factors to Consider Before Accepting an Associate Position (Course 408)
2 P.M. to 3 P.M.
Synopsis: Residents, fellows and other ophthalmologists with competing job offers need to consider a number of factors and ask a number of questions about the practices they are considering to avoid joining the wrong practice. This course outlines and explains the major factors to consider before accepting an associate position.
Using Financial Data in Ophthalmic Practice Management (Course 421)
2 P.M. to 4:15 P.M.
Synopsis: Financial statements can be intimidating. In most cases, financial statements are used to "keep score" of the practice. However, these statements can also be used to "play the game" of managing the practice. In this course, attendees will learn to evaluate and understand financial statements and to derive data that are used in ratio analysis and benchmarking, and they will more fully understand accounts receivable management, overhead and expense management, and the uses of budgeting.
The Seven Deadly Sins of Selling Your Solo Practice (Course 427)
3:15 P.M. to 4:15 P.M.
Synopsis: This course is designed for practices considering sale of co-ownership shares to an employed associate. Learn about many of the common mistakes encountered as practices approach these transactions and keys for reducing problems during the process. Learn how your practice will be assessed by advisors for your associate and ways to minimize potential disagreements.
Deciphering Financial Reports for the Young Ophthalmologist (Course 438)
3:15 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.
Synopsis: You spend 20 years in training to give sight to the sightless, but your eyes swim when you’re asked to evaluate a practice opportunity such as a buy-in or an opportunity to invest in an ASC, optical shop, or practice real estate. You’re not alone, and help is on the way. This course will present and demystify the basic financial reports you will run into when evaluating practice opportunities, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, accounts receivables reports, and tax returns and then help you understand how they all relate, and why they are important.
TUESDAY—
What Your Practice Agreements Should Say About Governance, Compensation, Payouts, and More (Course 539)
9 A.M. to 10 A.M.
Synopsis: Ophthalmology practice arrangements and the resulting legal agreements can be complicated. Often there are many additional legal entities related to the main practice entity, such as an ambulatory surgery center, equipment or real estate LLCs, and partnerships. Sometimes those related entities take on unexpected roles, which evolve over time and adapt to their changed circumstances. Very often, however, practices neglect to review and update even their main practice agreements (much less their related entities agreements) to reflect the changes over time in their situations. This course reviews the most essential and fundamental elements that should be annually addressed in order to avoid practical, if not legal, problems.
Updating Your Partnership/Shareholder/Buy-Sell Agreements (Course 591)
12:45 P.M. to 1:45 P.M.
Synopsis: How long has it been that your partnership or group practice reviewed your agreement to ensure it reflects current trends and issues in the medical environment? As consultants, we are frequently called in when a crisis occurs, for example sudden death, disability, or departure of a physician. The agreement the doctors signed many years ago may be vague, contain outdated values for buy-in/buy-outs or none at all, key person insurance may be missing, income distribution formulas may be sowing seeds of discontent or the group is suddenly faced with an untimely departure of a revenue producing doctor and also a steep buy-out.
Income Division for Group Practices: Structuring Appropriate Physician Compensation Arrangements (Course 546)
12:45 P.M. to 3 P.M.
Synopsis: This course will explore different models for dividing income in a group practice, with emphasis on creating incentives, responses to incentives, legal and regulatory concerns, and modeling different structures. A case study will be employed to illustrate the process.
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Coding and Reimbursement
Physicians must understand the appropriate level of coding. Whether you are a novice or experienced coder, our comprehensive range of courses are just what you need.
SUNDAY—
When to Use E&M and When to Use Eye Codes (Course 246)
3:15 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.
Synopsis: End the confusion about when to use an E&M code and when to use an Eye code for your office visits. This course will present typical patient encounters and proper code selection to assist the ophthalmic practice in appropriately maximizing reimbursement. A review of E&M and Eye code documentation requirements will be presented. Prerequisite: Knowledge of E&M documentation guidelines, CPT Eye code guidelines, and state Medicare Eye code guidelines is recommended.
MONDAY—
ICD-9 Coding: The Common and the Complex & Preview of ICD-10 (Course 410)
2 P.M. to 3 P.M.
Synopsis: ICD-9 diagnostic coding is vital for proper reimbursement. It is generally simple and straightforward, but not always. This course will review the basic principles for choosing and reporting diagnostic codes. Case scenarios will be presented where coding principles or rules are not clear or where codes are not found in standard ICD-9 texts.
Making the Most With Modifiers (Course 426)
3:15 P.M. to 4:15 P.M.
Synopsis: Modifiers impact reimbursement in negative and positive ways. This course will provide real-life examples of how to use modifiers, focusing on the most-used modifiers in order to demonstrate how to apply them in your practice accurately.
Oculoplastic Coding (Course 459)
4:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.
Course Outline: (1) CPT definition (2) Coding principles: Correct coding, accurate coding, cross coding, RVU’s (3) Five bibles of coding (4) Coding resources (5) Case presentations: lid lesions, malpositions, lacrimal, orbit, botox, ptosis, thyroid, miscellaneous (6) Question and answer with panel.
TUESDAY—
Coding for Surgical Complications (Course 535)
9 A.M. to 10 A.M.
Synopsis: When complications occur during surgery or during the postoperative period, physicians and staff need to know whether the office- or facility-based procedure is bundled or payable, which modifiers should be appended, and what diagnosis codes are appropriate.
Five Steps to Coding Simplification (Course 552)
10:15 A.M. to 11:15 A.M.
Synopsis: What are the fundamental keys to successful coding? This course is designed to simplify a very complex subject and to assist physicians, administrators, technicians, billers and coders document and code each exam, test, and surgical case correctly.
In addition to the comprehensive coding and reimbursement courses, be sure to attend our FREE coding events: 2010: A Coding Odyssey and Ophthalmology Coding A to Z.
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Compliance and Risk Management
Oversight and accountability are increasingly important to every practice. Practice survival can depend on how well you learn from the mistakes of others!
SUNDAY—
Physicians Under Siege: Navigating the Legal Hurdles (Course 189)
12:15 P.M. to 1:15 P.M.
Synopsis: Physicians are subject to regulatory and financial consequences on a daily basis. This course taught by an MD/JD who actively practices both professions and an experienced high volume surgeon and former ASC owner. The course will highlight three areas in which physicians are placed in either financial or regulatory jeopardy. These are: physician discipline by state licensing agencies, medical malpractice, and audit recovery from both private insurance companies and the federal government. The difference between administrative agency law and the difference in legal rights will be explained. The importance of aggressive and rapid proactive defense will discussed.
MONDAY—
Your Legal Toolbox: How to Protect Yourself Against a Malpractice Suit (Course 388)
11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Synopsis: In our increasingly litigious environment, key causes of malpractice will be discussed to improve patient care and risk management. Legal principles and malpractice case data will be evaluated to provide skills while anticipating the heightened practice scrutiny of an “outcomes”-driven future. Case examples and legal principles will be discussed in a lecture format.
The Ophthalmic ASC's Challenge: Compliance With the New Conditions for Coverage (Course 247)
3:15 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.
Synopsis: For the first time in the quarter-century since Medicare started certifying ambulatory surgery centers, the federal government has issued new ASC Conditions for Coverage (CfC) governing: facility structure; infection control; patient rights; governing body and management; and, quality assessment and performance improvement. Fueled by reports of poor infection control in a number of ASCs, tens of millions of dollars have been allocated to conduct hundreds of unannounced inspections of facilities to “validate” their compliance with the new regulations. This course will encompass: the scope of federal and state survey activities; a discussion of the new ASC certification requirements; identification of common deficiencies; and, guidance to facilities to promote compliance with the CfC’s.
Compliance FAQs: 2010 Update (Course 405)
2 P.M. to 3 P.M.
Synopsis: This course will use a series of real case studies to review the hottest compliance and regulatory issues presented in 2010 by physicians and physician practices. Session attendees will be encouraged to participate in the program by offering answers to the situations posed before the answers are presented.
United States vs. Physician: You Be the Jury (Course 441)
3:15 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.
Synopsis: This course will provide a summary of past and current investigations of physicians, with focus on the issues that the government has targeted as fraudulent or abusive. At the end of this course, the attendees will be able to (1) understand the focus of current government investigations of physicians, (2) identify potential risk areas for their practices, and (3) take steps to avoid potential liability.
TUESDAY—
Electronic Health Records and Compliance Programs (Course 538)
9 A.M. to 10 A.M.
Synopsis: This course will demonstrate how electronic medical records (EMRs), while improving the quality of medical records, can create problems that can trigger serious medico legal and compliance issues. This course will explore how EMRs can be used wisely or foolishly. Case studies will be presented to illustrate problems created by the use of EMRs.
Business and Professional Relationships Between Opthalmologists and Optometrists: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Course 589)
11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Synopsis: The course is designed to educate attendees about the legal issues surrounding business and referral relationships between ophthalmologists and optometrists. At the conclusion of the course, attendees will be able to (1) understand the various business and referral relationships that exist between ophthalmologists and optometrists, (2) understand the legal and compliance issues that attach to such relationships, and (3) recognize how to avoid the legal pitfalls relating to such relationships.
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Information Technology
Electronic Medical Records (EMR): Practices that have successfully implemented EMR consistently report the importance of physician buy-in. Attend an EMR course to learn how to succeed at the transition.
MONDAY—
Cashing In on the Stimulus Program: Getting to Meaningful Use in an Ophthalmic Electronic Medical Record System (Course 384)
11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Synopsis: This course will inform attendees on what it will take to qualify for the full government incentive package. Topics to be discussed include: important selection criteria in Ophthalmic EMRs, demonstrating meaningful use of an EMR, demystifying EMR technology jargon, and how to do a cost/benefit analysis of Ophthalmic EMR systems.
Embracing Technology and Gaining Rewards (Course 407)
2 P.M. to 3 P.M.
Synopsis: The HITECH Act of 2009 has stimulated many “on-the-fence” practices to embrace technology and adopt EHRs as a means of recouping the dollars necessary to employ. However, how will you know if you are getting what you deserve without guidelines to mark your achievements? This timely session delivers up-to-date information you need to maximize your position, wherever you are in the EHR cycle. If you are just now starting to purchase, if you are on your way to adoption, or if you are a long-term user of an EHR, this session will empower you to gain the rewards available.
TUESDAY—
The Transition to EMR in a Retina Practice: Practical Advice From a Group That Made It Through the Hurdles (Course 336)
9 A.M. to 11:15 A.M.
Synopsis: This course will present the experience of Texas Retina Associates in its successful transition to the full integration of an Electronic Medical Record. The presentation will include the perspective from both a practicing physician and from the lead business manager.
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Marketing and Business Development
MONDAY—
Traits of Market Leaders (Course 337)
9 A.M. to 10 A.M.
Synopsis: Secrets of Market Leaders Course Abstract Synopsis: This course presents the common traits of successful practices gathered over 20 years observing over 500 practices. These management traits can be assimilated into any practice, regardless of size or location, and are the hallmarks of market leading practices.
Internet Marketing Strategies for Ophthalmology Practices (Course 371)
10:15 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Synopsis: This course offers an overview of how to market ophthalmic practices using Internet resources. This instruction is applicable to small, large, and university practices and discusses the use of search engine optimization, search engine advertising, click ad advertising, and Web site marketing strategies.
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Human Resources
MONDAY—
Incorporating Optometry Into Your Dispensing Ophthalmology Practice (Course 387)
11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Synopsis: Incorporating an optometrist (O.D.) into a dispensing ophthalmology practice can allow ophthalmologists to see more patients and focus on the work that is of most interest to them. Or it can provide more personal time off. In addition, hiring an O.D. can prove financially rewarding. This course will explore the rewards and potential pitfalls involved in choosing this mode of practice.
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Professional Growth Courses
TUESDAY—
Patient Satisfaction: Practical Guidelines for Every Ophthalmologist (Course 334)
9 A.M. to 10 A.M.
Synopsis: Patient satisfaction is vital to the success of the ophthalmic practice, both academic and private. It is well documented that increase patient satisfaction improves revenue and decreases adverse effects such as medical legal issues. Over the past 4 years the author has implemented a number of strategies to improve patient satisfaction in a university practice group. The most significant progress was made by engaging physicians using the AIDET system introduced by the Studer group and by using open ended questions. Press Ganey surveys were used to monitor the response of the patients. These results be reviewed in this course and the participants will be able to return to work and immediately implement changes to allow them improvement in patient satisfaction.
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Registration and housing now open! Preview this year's program in a variety of formats:
Visit the AAOE Joint Meeting Page for complete details about the 2010 program.
