Valuing Post-Operative Services in Optometry Co-Management

This technical report discusses the considerations for valuing post-operative services in optometry co-management arrangements. It outlines the regulatory landscape following increased scrutiny from healthcare regulators regarding financial relationships between ophthalmologists and optometrists. The report details the implications of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute and the necessity for compliance to avoid legal penalties. It emphasizes the importance of determining fair market value for post-operative care provided by optometrists, which can be complex due to variability in procedures and reimbursement practices. The report presents three approaches for valuing these services: the Cost Approach, the Optometrist Cost Build-Up Approach, and the Reimbursement Analysis Approach. Each method is described, highlighting how they can help establish fair compensation while ensuring compliance with regulations. The conclusion stresses the need for ophthalmology practices to ensure that compensation to optometrists reflects fair market value amidst ongoing regulatory scrutiny.