News

Oregon Academy of Audiology is tracking the billing and coding bulletins put out by the major insurers in Oregon.  The aim of this project is to find and inform our members of policy changes that may affect audiology providers.  This is a new endeavor by OAA, so please let us know how we can improve it.  Let us know if we are missing any major payors in Oregon.

This bulletin is intended for general informational use only, and should not be relied on as an exhaustive analysis of any individual clinic or provider’s contract with their payors.  Please monitor your clinic’s insurance contracts and consult your own counsel regarding specific questions about your contracts.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k5vD2eLWZvtbIsGgjnsbthbEmbtpTMj5Zngi38xvi7U/edit

OAA Advocacy Alert:

The OAA Legislation and Policy Committee is following Oregon SB 124, a bill which would add a SLPA member to the Oregon Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.  The board is currently comprised of two audiologists, two speech-language pathologists, two consumers, and one ENT. 

Oregon Academy of Audiology opposes this bill as it is written.  OAA, the primary organization representing audiologists in Oregon, was not involved in the process of drafting of this legislation.  This limited audiology’s voice in the creation of legislation that directly affects audiologists’ licensing board. 

Additionally, OAA is concerned that adding a SLPA board member will create an imbalance between audiology and SLP representation.  OAA cannot offer support to a bill which would effectively reduce the weight of audiology’s voice in any policy making body.

Finally, while SLPAs are certified by the licensing board, they are not licensed providers.  Their scopes of practice and day-to-day activities are largely dictated by their supervising SLPs.  Practical, administrative, and ethical issues that may arise around SLPAs would predominantly need to be remedied at the level of the SLPs.  Further, even without a board member SLPAs still retain the right to attend board meetings and access to the members and resources of the licensing board.

Unfortunately, SB 124 has already passed the Oregon Senate and has moved on to the House.  It is currently in the House Committee on Healthcare, where it has a public hearing scheduled for Thursday, April 29^th.  OAA encourages all its members to submit testimony – either written or oral – to share their views on this legislation.  Below is information on the bill as well as on how to submit testimony.

Bill Information:

• ·       SB 124 text:  https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB124/Introduced
• ·       SB 124 legislation page:  https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Measures/Overview/SB124
• ·       Public hearing information:
• ·       https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Committees/HHC/2021-04-29-03-15/Agenda

Written Testimony:

• ·       Electronically: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Testimony/HHC
• ·       Mail: House Committee on Health Care
• 900 Court Street NE, Room 453

                         Salem, OR 97301

• ·       Written testimony may be submitted up to 24 hours after the meeting start time.

Register to Testify Live Remotely:

• Registration is required to testify by phone or video.
• Register online: https://survey.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9GGcXHWVskYPXZI

• You will see a confirmation screen and be sent an email with information on how to join the meeting.

• Register by phone: 833-588-4500. You will be given a phone number to call into the meeting.
• Registration closes at the time the meeting is scheduled to begin.

March 3rd is World Hearing Day.

 For 2021 - let's consider hearing across the world.

What does hearing mean to you?

What does hearing ability provide for you?

How do you feel when you can't hear clearly?

Audiologists are hearing healthcare providers there to help- from prevention of hearing loss, to identification of hearing status, to treatment of hearing disorders. 

Find your Oregon Audiologist under the tab "find an Audiologist"

We are "hear" for you!

We lost a dear friend & colleague, and a pioneer in our field on September 23rd, 2016.

-There will be a memorial service for Duane Anderson on Saturday October 29th 2:00 PM at the Westminister Presbyterian Church. 1624 NE Hancock, Portland OR

The Oregon Academy of Audiology board and all of its members  are saddened with the news of the passing of State Senator Alan Bates.  He helped to pass the newborn hearing screening requirements and did was involved in the elimination of dual licensure for audiologists. He will be missed.  

http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20160806/NEWS/160809723

Looking for affordable CEUs?  The Mayo Clinic Teleconference is the one for you!

Please join us on February 6th, 2016 from 7:00 am to 1:30 pm!  See the events section for more information.

Go to the EVENTS page for more details!

OR, CLICK HERE for conference brochure and registration information.

We hope to see you there!

Thank you to all the audiologists who joined us today for the 25th Mayo Clinic Audiology Teleconference.

If you missed it and are interested in the presentations, they can be downloaded:  Mayo Clinic Handouts

Dear OAA members:

On behalf of the Oregon Academy of Audiology board I want to welcome you to our new website and to OAA’s next 20 years.  I am honored to serve as your President for 2015.  As president I will continue to help make OAA a unified and vocal organization that represents the interests of all Audiologists in our state.  

2014 brought a celebration of the academy’s 20 years serving in Oregon.  In these years OAA has been influential in many legislative goals such as:  single licensure for audiologists, universal newborn screening in Oregon, worker compensation reimbursement for audiological services, mandated pediatric coverage for hearing aids for Oregon insurance plans, cochlear implant coverage, and an amendment of HB 2101 to allow audiologists licensed in Oregon to supervise trainees.

As a member of OAA you will receive discounted rates to OAA sponsored conferences and events. We also have a new and improved web directory listing that will make it easy for member networking and for consumers to locate audiologists in their area.  We will also keep you updated on our latest legislative efforts.

In 2015 OAA will continue to develop the website to make it more dynamic. We will work toward building membership, increasing the use of email blasts and newsletters to update members of professional opportunities and legislative issues, continue to develop the student committee to be a source of information and support for Oregon’s Audiology students (both undergraduate and graduate), and provide support and networking capabilities for recent graduates establishing themselves in the Oregon audiology community.

Remember, OAA is only as good as it’s membership. We want to understand your needs and concerns. We encourage you to share your stories and build a community. Our goal is to make OAA your “go to” place for your professional needs.

Best,

Evonne Serpa, Au.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tucker Maxon School would like to invite you to a free Parent Education Night on Thursday, January 22 at 6 PM (see attached).  The school is located at 2860 SE Holgate Blvd, Portland, OR 97202

TUCKER-MAXON Parents share their stories. Please join us to learn about children with hearing loss in your child's classroom and the unique experiences of their journey.