TPA certified

[LENNY]

I had a conversation with one of the insurance companies about joining their panel of providers.
The first question they asked me was if my OD was TPA certified.
Does this mean that this becomes required to be TPA certified?
What is going to happened to older ODs that will never be able to pass the TPA exams?
Is it legal to discriminate them if they do have a current License to practice Optometry in particular state?
And the last question: Are they going to become a refractionists and work for other OD/MDs? (for much redused rate)

[NC-OD]

Lenny,

If an OD is too lazy/stupid to become TPA certified, they should retire.

[EyeManFla]

This is actually a common problem with many of the older ODs here in Florida.
I ran across this the first time about six years ago when the sote I worked for hired an OD that could refract but couldn't of a DFE......which didn't stop him, he did them anyway even though he was not certified to do so.

[LENNY]

Does TPA required to be licensed in any other states?

[chip anderson]

O.K. I'll show my ignorance and bite. What is TPA? For that matter what is a DFE?

Chip:hammer:

[hcjilson]

If you hadn't asked I would have...........eventually!:D

[LENNY]

TPA= ABLE TO PRESCRIBE TERAPUTIC MEDICATIONS

DFE= DILATED FUNDUS EXAM

[NC-OD]

Yea,

TPA: Therapeautic Pharmaceutical Agents

DPA: Diagnostic Pharm Agents

I guess there are still OD's that are DPA certifed but not TPA certifed.

It comes as a surprise to me that there are still OD's that are not TPA certifed... but from the topic of this post, I guess there are.

Here in NC, OD's have been TPA (and DPA) certified since 1977. I know other states have been a bit slower on the uptake.

I also believe that VSP (which I don't take), pretty much made TPA certification a mandate a few years back and this ****** off alot of older OD's.

For the record, (and to the best of my knowledge), no Optometrist can graduate here in the states, this day and age, without being TPA certified.

[LENNY]

Hey !

There is one that is not even DPA certified and I employ him (he is in his 50)
Greate personality, greate refractionist and he can actualy see patologies in the ophthalmoscope!

[NC-OD]

Wow! I knew they were out there somewhere.

But he may be missing out on alot of $$. Probably not a concern on your side (but the more he can treat, the more patients he will see and the more potential for optical sales). Hey, as long as he (and you) are happy, more power to him.

But guys like him are what are making guys like me have to work so hard. He is a weak link in the Optometric chain and fodder for the anti-OD people.

But I'll get over it..............:D

[Ray Parent]

I ran across a few when I was an auditor out here in CA. I also remember quite a few retiring when VSP made TPA mandatory.

[LENNY]

Could you explain me this!

If OD has a License to practice in certain state, and this state does nor require TPA to practice in the scope of Optometry how does VSP kicked out non TPA ODs?
I would go to court with them!

[Ray Parent]

VSP has the right to set their own standards, and when they set the TPA requirement they gave plenty of warning for the OD's to obtain it.

The OD's that retired were the ones who depended on VSP patients for their practice, but didn't want the hassle of the additional training. I know of several that just stopped taking VSP and had enough cash patients and other non-VSP 3rd party insurance patients to keep going. I also know of several older OD's who went through the TPA process so they could continue to see their patients.

Ultimately, participation on an insurance plan's panel is voluntary, not a legal right. If a doctor wants to participate, it is up to the doctor to meet the panel requirments.