Northern Sights Newsletter

Vol. 32 Issue 3 3rd Quarter 2020

North Dakota President’s Message ~ Dr. Nate Shilman Optometric Association 921 South 9th Street, Ste. 120 Bismarck, ND 58504 hope everyone’s passage of the Paycheck Protection Phone: 701-258-6766 I summer is off to a Program Flexibility Act. Previously Fax: 701-258-9005 good start. While 75% of the funds were required to be E-mail: [email protected] many of your plans used toward payroll costs, this has now Website: www.ndeyecare.com have likely been been decreased to 60%. Initially the altered, I hope you are funds were required to be used within 2020 NDOA OFFICERS all able to find some eight weeks of receiving the funding. Dr. Nate Shilman time to relax and enjoy with friends and This has now been extended to 24 President 2273 3rd Ave. West family while remaining safe. weeks. The time to rehire employees Dickinson, ND 58601 has been extended to December 31 Since our last newsletter, most of us 701-225-7886 from June 30. The AOA has created a have experienced several challenges. [email protected] series of webinars explaining in detail Practice closure, lost revenue, Dr. Krista Heil the PPP. They have also created a implementation of telemedicine, layoff President Elect webinar that explains how to complete or furloughs and finally practice 111 East Century Ave. the PPP Loan Forgiveness Application. Bismarck, ND 58503 reopening with safety measures in If you have any questions concerning 701-222-1420 place. (If you have any questions about [email protected] the PPP, telemedicine, the Economic practice reopening, the AOA has Injury Disaster Loan Advance Program Dr. Leslie Hellebush created an Optometry Practice or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, Vice President Reactivation Preparedness Guide 204 West Century Ave. or practice reopening, I encourage you available at https://www.aoa.org/ Bismarck, ND 58503 to watch the #ASKAOA COVID-19 701-255-0186 optometry-practice-reactivation- webinar series. It can be accessed at [email protected] preparedness-guide). While not every aoa.org/coronavirus. There was optometrist has been impacted equally, Dr. Michael Rexine another live webinar covering changes Secretary Treasurer we must remain united and share our to the PPP on June 30 and is recorded. 34 Center Ave., Ste. B experiences and knowledge, to help Mayville, ND 58257 (Continued on Page 3) those who may be facing additional 701-786-2666 IN THIS ISSUE . . . [email protected] difficulties.  President’s Message Dr. Darin Johnson Many of us applied for and received  The Time is Right for Telehealth Past President funding from the Payment Protection  The Eyes and Coronavirus . . . 1525 31st Ave. SW, Ste. E Program. If you have not applied, funds Minot, ND 58701  In Memory of Dr. Geoffrey Rath 701-857-6050 are still available, but you need to apply  Welcome New Members [email protected] by the June 30, 2020 deadline. Initially  From the Desk of Your Executive Director Nancy Kopp there were many questions about how Consumers Likely to Return to Executive Director this program would work, but most of  those details have been defined. There Physical Optical Stores  Congrats & Classifieds have been some recent changes with

The Time is Right What is it About the Eyes That for Telehealth Have Prompted the Repeated he genie, as they say, is out of the bottle. This is the Coronavirus Warnings? genie known as telehealth, telemedicine or even tele- T void touching your eyes, nose and mouth, the optometry. Whatever one calls it, there certainly has been CDC has warned again and again. Wear a face a rush of activity in which individual doctors provide A mask, which may be effective because they remind you remote diagnosis and treatment services to an individual not to touch your face and eyes or if you are a health care patient. worker, use a face shield. You want to protect your eyes Across general health care, telemedicine seems quite from respiratory viruses for two main reasons. There is a practical for routine care, especially in behavioral health. direct connection between the eyes and the nasal But as we’ve seen during the recent coronavirus passages, which can lead to respiratory infection. And pandemic, many other areas of health care are quickly viruses can infect the eyes themselves, which is called adopting and adapting telemedicine to their practices. conjunctivitis — or pinkeye.

Major health systems across the nation reported Eyes have natural protective mechanisms such as tears unprecedented growth in telehealth encounters in the to wash irritants away and immune mediators to combat March-April-May period. While telehealth in optometry threats that hang around. But viruses can take advantage is not without its challenges—and there were many of the eye in a couple of ways. They can bind to proteins skeptics prior to COVID-19—the breadth of new in the eye then infect cells and replicate themselves. technology and an emphasis on safety and “social Viruses can also travel with tears through tiny holes in the distancing” is making remote delivery of care more eyelids and down a duct that drains into the nose. common in eyecare. The story with COVID-19 is far from definitive. But “I think the challenge may be to make sure that we observational studies suggest that eye protection reduces keep pace with what is clinically effective and what transmission. Antibiotics will not work on viruses. For works best for the continuum of the provider, the patient viral pinkeye, the treatment is comfort care. Artificial and the managed vision plans,” said John Ryan, tears can be soothing, as can cool compresses. People UnitedHealthcare Vision general manager. who wear contacts are at more risk of any of these triggers because they’re putting something foreign in their Ryan noted that he would “like to see things move eyes. Many chemicals can irritate the eyes as well, such further and faster in the telehealth space around diabetic as cleaning solutions and hand sanitizer. Alcohol, the retina exams” where someone with a clinically effective main ingredient in hand sanitizer, can cause significant camera records images of a patient’s eye and then these irritation and damage the surface of the eye. Certain images are reviewed by an OD in another place. This autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and would be a boon for delivery of care to under-served lupus, can also cause eye redness. populations. How risky is it to see an eye doctor during the All of this technology exists, and managed vision care pandemic? Eye doctors are upping their safety procedures is beginning to partner and pilot into it, Ryan noted. “We to keep patients, and themselves, safe. As other health- need to be aligned with the industry, and especially the care providers are doing, they are minimizing time spent providers, in making sure there are protocols, and in in the waiting room, screening patients and checking their making sure that we agree on what those protocols are. temperatures, and requiring face masks. Remember, But this is also what patients are going to expect.” everything you do is an extension of what you would do And, if the time was ever right for all of these things to normally. As a eye doctor, you have to weigh the risk of align, it is now. viral transmission to the ease of taking care of your patients. People who are wary of being in such close quarters with an eye doctor can put off their eye exams or routine screenings for a while. Symptoms that should prompt a visit are decreased vision, pain, redness, flashes or floaters or double vision. These could be signs of something potentially serious.

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President’s Message Continued... On June 1, VSP announced changes to its ophthalmic contact lenses. The rule change will go into effect 60 days product formulary stating that non-preferred brands after publication in the Federal Register notice. service fees would be reduced by about 50% and fees for While the last few months have been difficult, there is preferred brands would remain unchanged. This vertical certainly opportunity. With more people working from integration undermines patient care and choice. At this home and the possibility of children and college aged time 23 states have passed some form of legislation to students viewing computer screens with increased prevent these situations, North Dakota has not. The DOC frequency, it is our responsibility to educate and address Access Act (H.R. 3762) backed by 52 House members their needs. With added safety precautions, our practices with support from both the American Dental Association should be returning to a more normalized schedule. and AOA would ensure freedom of lab choice, sources Hopefully, should a second wave of COVID-19 become a and supplies. If you are asked to contact North Dakota’s reality, it will not impact our practices, as we are more US Legislators to support this bill, please do so. PLEASE prepared. However, due to COVID-19, telemedicine has CONTACT THE NDOA WITH YOUR CONCERNS become much more prevalent and is likely here to stay. about VSPs announcement and we will forward those We need to learn more about and begin to embrace concerns to VSP. We also encourage you to contact your technologies that allow us preform telehealth easily and local VSP representative, as well as the AOA Third Party accurately. Becoming more familiar with telemedicine Committee at [email protected]. The more voices the options, coding and policies will better prepare us for better. potential further shutdowns.

Last year Arkansas passed their scope of practice act, The AOA held its first ever virtual elections this year but ophthalmology is continuing to fight the passage of following cancellation of Optometry’s Meeting 2020. this legislation, using a ballot measure. If enough Below are the results of the elections: signatures are certified, the newly passed law will be put Officers: President William Reynolds, O.D (Kentucky), on the next ballot, as a referendum, to overturn the President-Elect Robert Layman, O.D. (Ohio), Vice previously passed legislation. If ophthalmology wins, it President James DeVleming, O.D. (Washington), may set a legal precedent for the expansion/modernization Secretary-Treasurer Ronald Benner, O.D. (Montana), of optometry’s scope of practice. The Arkansas Immediate Past President Barbara Horn, O.D. (South Optometric Association is asking for contributions as they Carolina). try to prevent this from occurring. Their goal is to raise $2 Trustees: Terri Gossard, O.D. (Ohio), Curtis Ono, O.D. million by July 1 with a total goal of $3 million. The (Washington), Jacqueline Bowen, O.D. (Colorado) NDOA will be discussing this situation, and as a Teri Geist, O.D. (Nebraska), Lori Grover, O.D. (Illinois), membership, we should begin discussing the possibility Steven Reed, O.D. (Mississippi). of scope expansion in North Dakota and how the result of Arkansas’ ballot may impact how we proceed. If you There was a webinar on Saturday, June 27 to formally would like to contribute to Arkansas please visit recognize the officers and trustees. http://www.arkansansforhealthyeyes.com/. I will not be attending the NDOA Annual Golf Outing By now, you have probably heard that the revised FTC this year but hope that those who attend have great Contact Lens Rule will require Doctor of Optometry to weather and a wonderful round of golf. I do look forward acquire signatures from patient confirming that they have to seeing you all at our NDOA Annual Congress, October received their contact lens prescription. The AOA will 18-19 in Bismarck, and I am sure there will be much to continue to fight for optometry, in hopes of overturning discuss. As we move forward, please remember to contact this ruling. There will also be new rules for providing the NDOA or it’s Board members with any questions patients an electronic copy of their prescription. First, about events taking place related to optometry, including optometrists must tell the patient the specific method of VSP’s new rules, the FTC Contact Lens Rule delivery and get consent from the patient. A record of that amendments, the Payroll Protection Program, legislative consent must be kept for three years. Also, if a patient issues or any pressing issue you have. The more members requests a copy of their contact lens prescription, they that contact us concerning these issues gives us, as a must be provided a copy within 40 business hours. The profession, a louder voice. I wish you all a wonderful and new rule will also require new rules for online sellers of safe summer!

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In Memory of Welcome New Members to the NDOA Dr. Geoffrey Rath Aaron Motacek, O.D. A celebration of life for Dr. Rath is 20/20 Vision Express scheduled for July 24, at 7:00 P.M. at 1300 Gateway Drive South Oaks Presbyterian Church Fargo, ND 58103 Phone: 701-235-0280 Email: [email protected] G eoffrey was born in Jamestown, North Dakota, to Alvin and Delores Rath on August 24, 1957. He graduated Hometown: Jamestown, ND from Jamestown High School in 1975 and headed west to Bachelors Degree: Biology—University of ND, 2012 Forest Grove, Oregon, to attend Pacific University. He Optometry Degree: Illinois College of Optometry, 2020 married his wife, Dorothea, in Silverton, Oregon, in Hobbies: Photography, graphic design, web design, August 1979. In May 1981, he achieved his lifelong dream fitness and lake time of becoming an Optometrist. In August 1981, he joined Extra-Curricular Activities/Honors/Awards: the practice of Dr. L.J. Renier. He was proud to say he Intramural sports, President of ICO Private Practice Club, was the only eye doctor in 3 ½ counties; serving the towns Presidential Scholarship, WICHE Scholarship, 2020 GP of Oakes, Ellendale, Forman, LaMoure, and Contact Lens Clinical Excellence Award Ashley. Nothing made him happier than to hear someone What prompted you to choose Optometry as a say “you’re my eye doctor”. profession: Family, the opportunity for private practice Aside from practicing optometry Geoff enjoyed golfing, and business management fly fishing, the Minnesota Twins, sitting at the fireplace, Practice Interests: Primary Care Optometry, Contact being the long standing “tail-twister” for the Oakes Lions Lenses, Dry Eye, Orthokeratology and Myopia Control and pheasant hunting with his 20 gauge over/under Weatherby, springer spaniels, sons and friends. He firmly believed his greatest contribution to society was converting Jessica M. Munro, O.D. the unenlightened to the joys of shooting over/under Essentia Health—South University Clinic shotguns and the enjoyment of dark beer. 1702 University Drive South Geoff also loved to travel; from medical missions in Fargo, ND 58103 Honduras and Guatemala, fishing in the Amazon, Canada, Phone: 701-364-8900 Costa Rica, Alaska and fly fishing in Montana. He Email: [email protected] thoroughly enjoyed a photographic safari in Africa, a visit to Cuba tracing the footsteps of Teddy Roosevelt and the Hometown: Rolla, ND Rough Riders and trips to England, Germany and Norway Bachelors Degree: Biology—University of ND, 2015 to visit former exchange students. He was always up for Optometry Degree: Illinois College of Optometry, 2020 an adventure. Hobbies: Water sports, snow skiing/snowboarding, He will be remembered for his care and commitment to painting, movies, concerts, conversing with friends and his patients, his sense of humor and endless supply of my grandparents jokes, a fabulous memory, a love of history and all things Extra-Curricular Activities/Honors/Awards: Teddy Roosevelt. Geoff had an enduring and unwavering Intramural basketball and volleyball, WICHE faith, and a deep love for his friends and family. He was Scholarship, OEP Treasurer, Sports Vision Club especially proud of his three sons, Tyler, Andrew, and What prompted you to choose Optometry as a Geoffrey Thomas. Left behind to miss him are his wife profession: I wanted to participate in the medical field as Dorothea, his sons Tyler, Viroqua, WI; Andrew, Ellendale, I found it equally rewarding and challenging. I am very ND; Geoffrey Thomas, Fairfax, VA; his mother Delores social and enjoy working with and meeting new people Rath, Jamestown, ND; one brother Greg (Pam and nephew daily. A majority of people would likely agree that sight Chase), Attleboro, MA; aunts, Rogene Moss, Long Prairie, is one of the, if not the most valued of the senses, a sense MN; Sandra Adams, Mandan, ND; and one cousin Shaun I definitely take for granted far too often. I thought it was Adams (Jessica, children Sophia & Evan), Chanhassen, amazing to think of myself as a team member’s whose MN. Geoff was preceded in death by his father, Alvin, and efforts are to protect and improve that sense. uncles Richard Moss and Dennis Adams. Practice Interests: Primary Care Optometry, Ocular Disease, Pediatrics and Pre/Post Op Refractive Surgery

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From The Desk Of Your Executive Director ~ Nancy Kopp ~

“Unprecedented Times” successfully coordinated its spring meeting February 14

o be honest, looking back to in Grand Forks with 7 hours over a “fun” weekend, 2 T January, 2020 was supposed to be hours at the upcoming NDOA Annual Golf Outing on the year of the eye exam: Both the July 10 and plan another 10 hours in Bismarck during its NDOA and AOA were preparing for this 117th Annual Congress, October 18-19. Not to mention, unique year, with plans to promote our but will, Board Rule allows you 12 hours by profession. None of us ever expected correspondence or distance learning. what we currently face in our personal or professional I personally feel strongly, that the “We are Stronger lives. We all I would expect, are unsure of how long Together” slogan for organized optometry can most things will take to get back to normal and if the North effectively take on the challenges you all face now and Dakota “smart restart” will bear some resemblance of a into the future, as one voice and in person vs. on a new normal. Your NDOA faces many of the same conference call, Zoom meeting or virtual distance concerns and challenges as we wait to see what the future learning on a computer screen. I would have to ask those holds. of you that have school aged children . . . How was your

Some of the challenges your NDOA professional and your children’s experience academically and socially, organization will be faced with in the coming months, are with the closure of schools and finishing the school year not PPP, PPE, Unemployment or other stimulus funding with distance learning? provided by the CARES ACT, however challenges to We all have so much more work to do “together”! I maintain and balance a budget for 2020, without utilizing and your NDOA Board cannot make decisions on behalf a rainy day fund that we are fortunate to have of its members alone, in making a difference or accumulated over the last 20 years. Coincidently as you influencing “change”, unless we hear from you the all know, investment funds took a severe hit on interest backbone of the NDOA, its members at large. Our and earning potential to grow the fund in March and challenges seem to be rising week by week . . . VSP April, but are now slowly bouncing back. Your NDOA’s Ophthalmic Product Formulary and Plan Changes, FTC Investment Portfolio has always been held in a very Ruling on contact lens prescriptions, scope expansion conservative nature, with little risk exposure. ballot initiative challenge in Arkansas, telemedicine, and

As you all know, the NDOA and AOA extended a 2- how do we transition from a traditional business income month dues waiver for all members. For those that paid in model, to a contemporary “medical” model? full prior to March 30, the NDOA will develop the Your NDOA will be sending out more and more e- logistics for these waivers towards the end of the year. mails, not daily, but as issues arise, in an effort to keep

Continuing Education requirements for North Dakota you up-to-date. We highly encourage you to provide your licensees has been a contention with just a few. Recently, input as to impacts on your practice, your employees and due to continued state restrictions and CDC guidelines most important, your patients. related to COVID-19, COPE has made the decision to Happy Days of Summer! I look forward to seeing extend the temporary rules modification to allow COPE many of you soon and encourage you to participate in the Administrators and Providers to present CE activities conversations and the networking opportunities your through an INTERACTIVE ONLINE format and give NDOA is striving to provide to keep our family together! LIVE COPE CE credit through December 31, 2020. I know a number of other state, regional and national CE God Bless and Stay Safe! events were cancelled and scrambled to reconfigure CE opportunities virtually, but North Dakota was not faced with that challenge to meet its commitment to provide CE opportunities in state and in person, as we are now in the second year of a 3 year cycle to meet 50 hours of COPE or association sponsored CE credits. The NDOA

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Surveys Find Consumers Likely to Return to Physical Optical Retail Stores

n a number of recent surveys, managed vision care or an optical subsidy indicate they I most consumers report that are likely to return compared to those consumers without. they are likely to return to physical brick-and-mortar opti- And, not surprisingly, more consumers whose most recent cal retailers and optometry offices to try on and purchase eyewear purchase was from an independent ECP or cor- eyewear, according to The Vision Council. Indeed, almost porate retailer indicate they are likely to return to physical 70 percent of consumers indicate that they will likely re- stores compared with recent online eyewear shoppers. turn to physical eyewear retailers after COVID-19, the In addition, many consumers want to see additional industry association noted. safety and protective measures in place at optical stores. However, nearly one-quarter of consumers indicate Specifically, 41 percent of eyewear shoppers want retail- that they are not sure or that it is too soon to tell whether ers to sanitize any eyewear before they try it on at the they will return to brick-and-mortar optical stores. Only 8 store. Equally large numbers of consumers want retailers percent said they are unlikely to return to physical optical to limit the number of people in the store at any one time stores. (38 percent) or to have retail employees wear PPE gear like facemasks and gloves (37 percent). Consumers 35 years or older are more likely to return to physical stores than consumers 18–34 years old, with a The Vision Council serves as a leading resource for higher percentage of older demographic age segments comprehensive optical industry research, and conducts reporting a likelihood to return than the national average surveys on a regular basis to monitor consumer attitudes for all adults. A greater percentage of consumers with and behaviors.

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Employment Opportunities/For Sale

PART TIME ASSOCIATE OD WANTED New to the NDOA Family Part-Time Associate OD needed for 1 to 1.5 days a week to work in a newly remodeled office in Jocelynne Mari Muir Moorhead, MN practicing full scope optometry. May 28, 2020 Potential to make full-time position with sharing Congratulations to Dr. days with another private practice in Fargo. For Jorden Mari and James details, please contact Dr. Welder at 701-403-5752 Muir on the birth of their or send CV to [email protected] daughter Jocelynne. Jocelynne, was born on May 28 and weighed 7 pounds 4 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. ****************** OPTOMETRIST NEEDED Palmer Andrew Ranum (PAR) Full-Time position in Williston, ND. Holiday Pay, June 8, 2020 Health Insurance, 401-K Plan. Please contact Dr. Biesiot at 701-483-1466 or by e-mail at Congratulations to Dr. [email protected]. Michael and Leann Ranum on the birth of their son ****************** Palmer. Palmer, who was born on June 8 at 3:36 FOR SALE AM. weighed 7 pounds 10 Three Halogen Long-Life Projectors. oz and was 21 inches long. $250.00 each or $400.00 for two.

Palmer has begun some light chipping and putting at Buyer must pick up. Please contact Dr. week two. Hopefully full swings before long. Mark Helgeson at 701-331-1350.

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NDOA’s 117th Annual Congress & Exhibition

October 18-19, 2020 (Sunday—Monday)

Ramkota Hotel Bismarck, ND

Plan now to attend!

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