14 December 2012

IRS glasses and contacts

For those who ask  "What's in it for me"


IRS Confirms Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses Exempt from New Medical Device Tax
Affirming yet another AOA health reform victory, the federal government this month released final regulations confirming that eyeglasses and contact lenses will be exempt from the new 2.3 percent excise tax on most medical devices.
Set to take effect Jan. 1, 2013, the new tax will be imposed on most types of medical devices and was originally included in the 2010 health care overhaul as a means to help raise nearly $30 billion for the law’s expansion of health insurance coverage.
As supported by the AOA, section 4191(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, as enacted in the Affordable Care Act, specifically provides that eyeglasses and contact lenses are not taxable medical devices under this provision.
As officials searched for mechanisms to help raise revenue for the bill and eventually settled on the medical device tax proposal, the AOA successfully convinced lawmakers to include a specific exemption for eyeglasses and contact lenses.
In promulgating the final rule, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) explained that devices generally purchased by the general public at retail for individual use, such as eyeglasses and contact lenses, would be exempt from the tax. 
The IRS included a partial list of factors to consider, in their totality, whether other devices qualify for the exemption.  The IRS also outlined a safe harbor for categories of devices that automatically fall within the retail exemption, including prosthetics that do not require implantation or insertion, and certain over-the-counter items.
Importantly, the new excise tax is to be paid by manufacturers, importers, and producers of taxable medical devices, not the purchaser of such devices. Despite this arrangement, the AOA remains concerned that the price of ophthalmic and other equipment used in optometry practice settings may rise as a result.
Currently, there are bipartisan efforts underway to repeal or delay the new excise tax, particularly by lawmakers from states with a strong device manufacturer presence. Republicans and some Democrats in the U.S. House and Senate have launched multiple attempts to either repeal or delay the new tax.
While heartened that the federal government has affirmed one of optometry’s health reform victories, the AOA will continue to monitor efforts in Congress to address this issue and will continue to actively seek input from AOA members on the impact that the new tax might have on optometry practices. 
AOA members with questions or concerns should contact the AOA Washington office at 800-365-2219 or emailImpactWashingtonDC@aoa.org.

03 December 2012

2012 Convention

As many of you know I like to use this blog to give the personal rather than the professional view of my Presidency. So here goes.

After being notified by the  Hyatt of the  double booking of our convention space just 10 days prior we had to change the itinerary quite a bit but we pulled it off. The Hyatt did a great job in the end and even comped me a room. Upon check in they upgraded me to a suite and took care of my parking... oh the benefits of being President.

My next surprise came during our Board meeting with AOA Trustee Dr. Andrea Thau, she brought us Black and White cookies from New York City.  Delicious.  After CE concluded Saturday we had a first ever member only legislative reception which was well attended and got rave reviews. (could have been the free food and drink).

Off to dinner,  I must say I learned a lot about Kosher food this weekend. Dr. Thau's  dedication to Optometry is only outdone by her dedication to her faith. We walked to Matsuri Japanese Restaurant in Federal Hill, I was just a bit apprehensive about this place (no forks) however I managed to survive with a quick lesson on chopstick use from Tracie King.  Broadening my horizons I ate Seaweed Salad, Edamame Beans and even a piece of seared Tuna for the first time.

Upon leaving the restaurant I noticed a bunch of Santa's walking around. Turns out it was Drunk Santa night in Federal Hill .. who knew.

 As most of the dinner party headed back to the Hyatt I joined Steve Flemke to find  Murphy's Law in Fell's Point. As you may recall I picked this place after watching the show Bar Rescue and seeing it transformed into a brand new place. Well much to my dismay it went out of business.  Fear not with Steve around , we enjoyed a Guinness and ended up at PBR in Power Plant Live watching many ladies (very few men tried) get thrown from a mechanical bull.

Midnight rang and back to the Hyatt as I had a 7 am wake up call. Sunday was filled with our CE and Annual Meeting.  I only had 2 hiccups during my Presidents Report  and it was a pleasure presenting our annual awards.

A quick exit  (avoiding Ravens traffic) to be home by 5 to coach my son's basketball practice , after which I enjoyed dinner with my family . Exhausted I fell asleep by 8:30pm.  



Talk soon 

John