Ford Motor Co. to Provide Employees Access to Optometrists for Medical Eyecare

After years of negotiations with the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Michigan Optometric Association (MOA), in an effort spearheaded by Peter M. Agnone, OD, the Ford Motor Company will now provide active salary and hourly United Auto Workers (UAW) and their dependents access to optometrists for medical eyecare beginning Jan. 1, 2015. This change also applies to retired Ford salary workers under the age of 65 and their dependents.   Ford is self-insured, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is its third-party administrator. Previously, optometrists were limited to providing only a yearly exam and glasses or contact lenses to Ford employees and their dependents, but optometrists were not considered a provider class that would be reimbursed for medical testing or medical care. Optometrists had to refer patients to an ophthalmologist for follow-up medical testing or medical care.   This announcement follows similar decisions by General Motors, Chrysler LLC, and the UAW Medical Trust, which provides health insurance benefits to retired hourly UAW Ford workers under 65, all of which were also self-insured with programs administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. These companies all made their changes within the last four years "based on understanding what optometrists are licensed to do and the access and cost savings advantages of using optometrists," according to Agnone, who has been working along with the Third Party Centers of the AOA and MOA for about 25 years advocating on behalf of optometrists.   While GM, Chrysler, and the UAW Medical Trust were convinced to change their policies over the past four years based on "anecdotal information and showing them the value and cost efficiency of using optometrists for medical eyecare," Agnone told VMail, "it became obvious that some things the MOA, AOA, and I had been using to convince not only the auto companies but other industry companies wasn't going to work with Ford. Now was the time to use the Harkin Law."   The Harkin Amendment, sponsored by Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), section 2706 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), specifies that any insurer offering group or individual coverage "shall not discriminate with respect to participation under the plan or coverage against any health care provider who is acting within the scope of that provider's license or certification under applicable state law." Legal counsel for the AOA and MOA were deeply involved and instrumental in Ford Motor's policy change and compliance with the Harkin Amendment's non-discrimination language, according to a statement from the AOA.   "We were able to challenge Ford with the Harkin Law, and through discussions with the AOA, the MOA, myself, and representatives of Ford, they were finally convinced to change their policies in order to be in compliance with the ACA," Agnone told VMail. "This is a prime example of the value of the AOA and the state affiliates and what they are able to do for the profession. They have truly moved the profession forward, helping to allow optometrists to practice at full scope. Without their involvement, optometry would be in a completely different place and light years behind."   Agnone, who was the AOA's 2014 Optometrist of the Year, added that he believes this is a precedent-setting decision. "Going forward, this allows the AOA and its affiliates to take this decision by a major company like Ford, in terms of the Harkin provision, and to address other situations where there may be discrimination occurring," he said.