Become a Member

What are the Benefits of Becoming a Member?
What will my Annual Dues be?
How Can I Apply for Membership?

Membership with the New York State Optometric Association (NYSOA) becomes a combined membership with the American Optometric Association (AOA) and a Local Society.  Members of the NYSOA are entitled to a wide variety of benefits and resources, some of which include:

• Comprehensive malpractice liability insurance policies at competitive rates
• Merchant credit card processing, a charge-card program that offers optometrists significant savings on transaction fees
• Continuing education courses to fulfill state licensing requirements
• Subscription to the association's newsletter, Prospectus, featuring current professional topics and issues
• Statewide peer recognition and awards
• Vision West, Inc., an ophthalmic group buying plan
• Access to the NYSOA member website
• Legislative advocacy at the state level - giving you the ability to stay current on legislative issues affecting the profession
• Networking opportunities
• Doctor Locator - NYSOA's online optometrist referral directory
• Business Partner opportunities and information on practice management
• E-Blast reminders of upcoming meetings and events
• The Doctor's Network of optometric mentors
• AOA News - the AOA's bi-monthly hard copy news publication
• AOA News Online - online version of the AOA News, with additional informational content
• AOA Website - www.aoa.org, online access to member benefits and services and industry-related information
• Optometry: Journal of 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
• Dr. Locator - national optometrist online referral service
• Eye Care Benefits Center (ECBC) - provides assistance to members and the public with coding systems, claims completion, electronic data collection, eye health care programs, ERISA, managed care, and vision care programs
• HIPPA 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 federal privacy regulations
• Legislative advocacy at the federal level - the ability to contact Congressional representatives and stay current on federal legislative issues affecting the profession
• Medicare Compliance Manual - provides sample policies and procedures, and helps to navigate through the complicated laws governing Medicare and how they might apply to an optometric practice
• AOA Congress: Optometry's Meeting: AOA/American Optometric Student Association's (AOSA) annual convention and meeting; members benefit from many opporunities, 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
• 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 that 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
• Codes of Optometry - listing of codes for Medicaere and third-party insurance claims
• 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 website (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
• Specific 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
  • Low Vision Rehabilitation Section (LVRS) - 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
• Topical Interest Groups - online forums providing a convenient way for members to communicate, discussing featured topics, posing general questions, or sharing experiences and knowledge regarding surgery news, issues, and clinical information; the quarterly e-newsletter provides all of the above, in addition to upcoming events, continuing education announcements, and legislative updates.  The Topical Interest Groups are:
  • Children's and Binocular Vision
  • Refractive Surgery
• International Library, Archives & Museum of Optometry (ILAMO) - comprehensive visual science library with knowledgeable research staff
• AOA Approved Providers:
  • AOAAdvantage - Student Loan Consolidation program for members and their spouses
  • AOA Advantage PLUS - extends the benefits of the loan consolidation program to member non-spousal family members
  • AOA Member Credit Card - MBNA Platinum Plus MasterCard credit card with no annual fee
  • Automobile Rental - National Car Rental offers discounted rates to members
  • Credit Card Processing - Bank of America Merchant Services provides reduced credit card processing fees for members
  • Equipment Leasing - Popular Leasing USA, Inc. and Great America Leasing provide different types of equipment leasing packages to 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 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 members
  • Practice Appraisals - Practice Appraisals and Mediations and the Irving Bennett Business and Practice Management Center at PCO offer practice valuation and consulting services
  • Professional Liability/Malpractice Insurace - Marsh provides professional liability and malpractice insurance coverage
  • Retirement Planning Program - Equitable Life Assurance Society administers a retirment planning program with diverse investment options and guidance from retirement program specialists
  • VisionWeb - offers memebers direct-to-supplier online ordering, one-stop access to clinical news and information, and online, accredited CE/CME
• Commission on Paraoptometric Certification - responsible for establishing, maintaining, and verifying standards related to the granting of certification and credentials

NYSOA, AOA, and Local Society Dues vary depending on several factors including:

• License Year
• Full-Time/Part-Time Employment
• Faculty Employment
• Age
• Retirement Status
• Geographical Area
• Spousal Membership

Detailed information on Membership Categories and Discounts can be found here.

Apply Online or download our Membership Application Form and fax or mail to the NYSOA office today.

New York State Optometric Association, Inc.
119 Washington Avenue
2nd Floor
Albany, NY 12210
Toll Free: 1-800-342-9836
Phone: 518-449-7300
Fax: 518-432-5902
E-mail: nysoa2020@aol.com