Student Member Benefits

AOA News – AOA’s bi-monthly hard copy news publication.

AOA News Online – online version of the AOA News with additional informational content.

AOA Web site – www.aoa.org, online access to member benefits & services & industry related information.

Optometry’s Meeting® - The American Optometric Association's annual Congress and the American Optometric Student Assocation's Annual Conference; members benefit from many opportunities, including: COPE approved continuing education; exploring optometric and vision industry exhibits; networking with colleagues and other optometric professionals; attending special events planned exclusively for Optometry’s Meeting™; and observing the proceedings taking place during the annual assembly of the AOA House of Delegates.

Free Business Cards – incoming and graduating 4th-year students are eligible to receive a free set of 250 personalized business cards, each imprinted with the “Member of the AOA” logo

Guide to Optometric Loans, Grants and Scholarships - It's no secret that optometry school is expensive and that most of you will have a heavy debt load when you graduate. To lighten that burden at least a little, we offer our updated Guide to Optometric Loans, Grants and Scholarships.

HIPAA Privacy Compliance Manual – provides reliable compliance advice, custom-tailored to the optometric practice; features answers to many frequently asked questions and a step-by-step guide to help members comply with the often complex and confusing new federal privacy regulations.

HIPAA Security Rule Manual - provides an orderly step-by-step method to help optometrists ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of electronic protected health information (ePHI) in their practices as required by federal regulation.

Legislative Advocacy – Federal Level – the ability to contact Congressional representatives and stay current on federal legislative issues affecting optometry.

Legislative Advocacy – Support of State Efforts – the ability to stay current on state legislative issues affecting optometry.

Medicare Compliance Manual - provides sample policies and procedures, helps to navigate through the complicated laws governing Medicare and how they might apply to an optometric practice.

Optometry: Journal of the AOA - published monthly, the most widely circulated scholarly optometry journal, provides a forum for breakthrough research that advances the art and science of the practice of primary care optometry.

Optometry’s Career Center® (OCC) - a national, online job matching service for optometry that helps provide detailed information to find optometric jobs (or candidates) or other opportunities such as the sale or purchase of a practice.

Optometric Clinical Practice Guidelines - recommendations for patient care which are developed through a formal process. They combine the best available current scientific evidence and research with expert clinical opinion to recommend appropriate steps in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients with various eye and vision conditions.

Pamphlets/Resource Materials – AOA’s Order Department has available patient/public education, stationery and practice management materials.

Practice Assistance Program – is a mentoring program for AOA members who have questions and seek advice on various aspects of practice management.

Practice Resource Center - a section of the AOA Web site (listed under "Member Resources" on the home page) that can help both new and seasoned practitioners with practice management, career building, and the day-to-day challenges of running a business.

Research/Statistics on the Profession – AOA’s Information and Data Committee conducts a variety of surveys to collect, analyze, and disseminate socio-economic and other data relating to eye care, the optometric profession, and the ophthalmic industry.

Resource Guide for Employed/Affiliated ODs - contains valuable information about issues related to lease agreements, contract negotiations, and business management for the independent contractor, leaseholder or franchisee.

Sections - offers networking opportunities for members who share professional interests:

Contact Lens & Cornea Section (CLCS) – serving its members by providing leadership, education, and guidance on topics related to contact lenses and cornea primary vision care.

Vision Rehabilitation Section (VRS) – supports the interdisciplinary approach to rehabilitation of patients with low vision, including the legally blind and/or visually impaired.

Paraoptometric Section (PS) – offers education, recognition, and involvement to its members while promoting the health team concept in the delivery of optometric care.

Sports Vision Section (SVS) – advancing the quality and delivery of full-scope optometric sports vision care; promoting sports vision education, eye injury prevention and research, and enhancing the vision of athletes.

AOA Approved Providers –

AOA Member Credit Card – MBNA Platinum Plus MasterCard® credit card with no annual fee.

Automobile Rental – National Car Rental offers discounted rates to AOA members.

Credit Card Processing – Bank of America Merchant Services provides reduced credit card processing fees for AOA members.

Equipment Leasing – Popular Leasing USA, Inc. & Great America Leasing provide different types of equipment leasing packages to AOA members.

Life/Disability/Hospital Indemnity Insurance – provided by AGIA, information is found at www.aoainsurance.com.

Long Distance Telephone Service – Second Century Communications offers special residential and commercial long distance rates to AOA members.

Medical/Dental Insurance – provided by AGIA, information is found at www.aoainsurance.com.

On-Hold Telephone Services – Original On-Hold, Inc. provides customized messages for patients who are "on hold."

Package Delivery Service – UPS gives discounted rates to AOA members.

Practice Appraisals – Practice Appraisals and Mediations and the Irving Bennett Business & Practice Management Center at PCO offer practice valuation and consulting services.

Professional Liability/Malpractice Insurance – Marsh provides professional liability and malpractice insurance coverage.

Retirement Planning Program – Equitable Life Assurance Society administers a retirement planning program with diverse investment options and guidance from retirement program specialists.

Vision Web - offers members direct-to-supplier online ordering, one-stop access to clinical news and information; and online, accredited CE/CME.