Large Maryland Employer Recognizes ODs

The Shore Health System (SHS), a provider of hospital services along Maryland’s Eastern Mid-Shore, will cover medical eye care services provided by optometrists under its Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)-qualified employee health plan, according to the Maryland Optometric Association (MOA). SHS, which is part of the University of Maryland Medical System, has more than 2,000 employees. The SHS Benefits Committee voted to include optometrists as providers following a series of discussions to clarify the role of optometrists as providers of primary eye care as well as vision care, according to Greg Bartoo, the administrator for Easton Eye Care. Read more.