PORTLAND, Ore.—PECAA, a nationwide doctor alliance group for independent eyecare professionals, has launched the Integrated Eye Care Initiative, a new initiative that is designed to drive informed decision making for the next wave of health care reform, according to an announcement Monday. The program launched in April and is an extension of the “Health Care Reform to Thrive” program developed by OD Excellence prior to its merger with PECAA, according to the announcement.

PECAA and OD Excellence announced their merger in July 2018, as VMAIL reported. PECAA is a business unit of Rev360.

The Integrated Eye Care Initiative (IECI) will work closely with participating providers to help them understand their role and opportunities as the eyecare industry transitions to the second phase of health care reform and as it is being driven by the 21st Century Cures Act, the announcement noted.

PECAA’s IECI advisors will help members implement changes in their practice to accelerate their transition from a traditional fee-for-service system to an outcome-based care delivery system. The initiative was created with the goal of providing eyecare practitioners with the ability to be able to negotiate for higher reimbursements, fully immerse themselves in local integrated care delivery networks and ultimately, equip them with the necessary tools and resources needed to deliver better patient care, the announcement noted.

“PECAA is pleased to be a leader in the eyecare industry and to help members move to outcome-driven care,” Jamie Hughes, PECAA’s senior vice president and general manager, said in the announcement. “We share a common goal with providers who choose to participate in the program... to help pave the way to better patient care through a stronger community of thriving independent practitioners.”

“Health care reform has opened many new doors for eyecare providers,” added Jennifer Low, an IECI advisor. “We are excited to work side-by-side with PECAA members through the IECI program and the rest of the patient’s care team to implement the most effective diabetes management program possible - one that recognizes the unique value eyecare brings to the team to facilitate the best possible outcomes for each patient.”

There is no cost to participate in the program, although access to the program is exclusive to PECAA members, according to the announcement.

To learn more about the Integrated Eye Care Initiative, please visit health-care-reform.

PECAA is one of the nation’s leading alliance groups and serves more than 3,500 independent doctors throughout the U.S.