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Biomedical subjects

M Soroka

Publications and source records attributed to M Soroka.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

A survey of optometric practice in New York State: trends and policy considerations.

A mail survey of actively practicing optometrists in New York state revealed information about present and future manpower supply, modes of practice, procedures and instrumentation used, services rendered, third party reimbursement and involvement in continuing education. The survey illustrates the need to increase the gathering of such data in order to analyze practice patterns and more accurately initiate short- and long-term planning within the profession.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Comprehensive vision care under third party programs: increased services and increased scrutiny.

Physician reimbursement under Medicare has been rising by about 15 percent each year. Part of this increase is due to an increase in unnecessary tests and procedures. To control provider billing, Congress passed legislation that will establish a Medicare fees schedule and expenditure targets. Increased surveillance and monitoring of Medicare claims are taking place. Diagnostic procedures are being questioned and denied when deemed inappropriate in relation to a diagnosis. Managed care techniques also are being implemented by private insurance carriers to prevent overutilization. Clinic practice guidelines are being developed by the health professions. Optometry, as well as all other health professions, will be subject to increased utilization and quality review.

Delivery of Health Care↗
PubMed1989

Vision care benefits and optometric services in HMOs.

General eye care, although not a required basic health service of federally qualified health maintenance organizations (HMOs), is being offered in virtually all HMOs. Reasons for including vision care benefits and optometric services are presented. Data from the Group Health Association of America and the Department of Health and Human Services demonstrates that HMOs are in fact providing vision care benefits and optometric services. The growth of the independent practice association (IPA) model is significant for optometry as it threatens to limit the scope of optometric practice. New professional problems arise as participating optometrists are constrained from performing the full range of optometric services. In recent years optometry has expanded its scope of licensure and practice to incorporate both diagnostic and therapeutic drugs in its management of visual problems. Managed care and alternate delivery systems, however, may restrict the advances that optometry has made in the legislative arena.

Health Maintenance Organizations↗
PubMed1986

Vision care and health insurance coverage.

This paper presents an overview of third party coverage for optometric services. A questionnaire survey of insurance companies was conducted to determine the extent of major medical coverage for specific optometric services. The influence of freedom of choice laws, expanded scope, pharmaceutical agent legislation and the Medicare program is discussed. The proper use of accepted diagnostic and procedural codes is underscored.

Aphakia↗
PubMed1983

Vision care policy, ophthalmological practices and the Medicare program.

Medicare specifically excludes routine eye examinations and refractive services. In optometric circles, it is widely believed that ophthalmologists are currently receiving payment for routine eye care and refractive services. A survey of ophthalmologists and optometrists in New York State is presented with respect to their fees and participation in the Medicare program. The use of procedures and diagnosis codes and its impact on billing practices by ophthalmologists is reviewed. Data from a Medicare intermediary and from a provider of health care services raise serious issues regarding Medicare's policy of excluding routine eye care. A review of existing rules and regulations and its implementation appears in order.

Eye Diseases↗
PubMed1981

Vision care for the nation's elderly: a plea for policy direction.

Eye care services are largely provided by two professional groups--optometrists and ophthalmologists. Professional rivalry between the two exists mainly because both are in direct competition for patients with routine diagnostic and treatment needs. With the advent of Medicare and Medicaid, a substantial amount of health care services rendered to the elderly has been financed by the federal government. The use by the elderly of eye care services and the cost of such services are influenced by Medicare reimbursement policies. Medicare specifically excludes routine eye care and refractive services, but includes diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease. This article examines the impact of eye care benefit exclusions and restrictions and their effect upon the use of ophthalmological and optometric services by the elderly.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

[Evaluation of the circulatory system in workers exposed to caprolactam and diphenyl in 1 of the chemical plants producing polyamine fibers].

The literature data indicating nonspecific pathologic symptoms of the circulatory system in those occupationally exposed to caprolactam and diphenyl inspired the authors to evaluate the circulatory system in a group of 495 workers of a Chemical Plant producing polyamide fibres. The anamnestic data, family inquiry and subjective changes indicate that any hints of the significant effects of the technological process on circulatory diseases in this professional group are unwarranted. The percentage values of the latent circulatory failure (1-2% of subjects), coronary insufficiency (6.6% of subjects), arterial hypertension (5.7% of subjects) did not show any significant differences, as compared to the control group and normal Polish population. The obtained results of ECG test evaluated according to the Minnesota-Code criterion did not significantly differ from 100 controls composed of those in whom no changes in the circulatory system were found, whereas clear differences were found related to 50 persons with documented heart ischemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Optometric and ophthalmological eye care under the Medicare program.

A questionnaire survey was administered to more than 600 elderly persons within several senior citizens centers in New York City. Data was collected on the elderly's use of eye care services, particularly the site where eye care was obtained, the type of provider chosen and the source of payment, i.e. Medicare, Medicaid or self pay. The second stage of the survey was to screen all participants for the absence or presence of visual problems. Significant differences were found when comparing the use of optometrists and ophthalmologists with the method by which the respondent paid for their last eye examination. Among those who were seen by an ophthalmologist and reported that Medicare paid for their examination half either passed or failed the vision screening test due only to poor visual acuities. Statistical evidence seems to indicate that Medicare payments to ophthalmologists may not be solely for actual or suspected disease conditions. Implications for the Medicare program seem evident.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

Knowledge and use of eye care services by college and health professional students: implications for the profession.

A questionnaire survey of 1277 students in colleges of liberal arts, medicine, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, and podiatry was undertaken in an effort to determine their knowledge and use of vision care services. Students were asked to define the differences among optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians. Utilization, type of practitioner used, and site of examination are reported. About 56% had had an examination within the past year. Optometrists provided at least 40% of the examinations, but the confusion in the minds of the students is revealed by the fact that some said they were examined by opticians, some by the Department of Motor Vehicles, and some by a person they were not able to identify. Clearly, optometry and the related disciplines have a responsibility to clarify the public confusion.

Female↗