News

Photo of Dr. Erin Fogel, MD, Eye Center of Concord, Eileen Serratore, Administrator of Eye Center of Concord, Bob Cholette, Board Chair of New Hampshire Association for the Blind and George Theriault, President and CEO of the New Hampshire Association for the Blind.

From left to Right: Dr. Erin Fogel, MD, Eye Center of Concord, Eileen Serratore, Administrator of Eye Center of Concord, Bob Cholette, Board Chair of New Hampshire Association for the Blind and George Theriault, President and CEO of the New Hampshire Association for the Blind.

Eye Center of Concord Recognized

CONCORD - November 2007 - The Eye Center of Concord was recognized at the New Hampshire Association for the Blind's Annual Meeting for its partnership in a unique national demonstration project.

The project, titled the CMS (Center for Medicare Services) Low Vision Demonstration Project, is a five-year study that is being conducted in 6 states and regions nationwide. The study will test the feasibility of including vision rehabilitation services for seniors under the national Medicare program. The selected sites include New Hampshire, New York City area, metropolitan Atlanta, South Carolina, Kansas, and Seattle.

The Demonstration Project was authorized by Congress following US Senate approval of a bill by Senator John Sununu (R-NH) that sought Medicare reimbursement for specialized professional vision rehabilitation services.

The Services being analyzed under the demonstration are: low vision therapy, rehabilitation teaching, and orientation and mobility training. These services are currently provided by the New Hampshire Association for the Blind to seniors across the state that are blind and severely visually impaired, helping them to regain or maintain their independence.

The Eye Center is referring eligible patients who are then provided these services outside of the clinic (usually in the client's home) by certified specialists employed by the Association. Medicare is then billed for the service under the CMS Low Vision Demonstration Project.

For more information regarding the Low Vision Demonstration Project please contact George Theriault, President and CEO of the New Hampshire Association for the Blind at 224-4039 or email: gtheriault@sightcenter.org.