Coverage Questions

On a regular basis, OMIC answers coverage questions by our insureds. For the current coverage questions of the month, please refer to the Announcements page in What's New.

January 2012

• Does my policy cover me for the administration of intravitreal drugs for the treatment of macular degeneration?

December 2011

• I would like to use the Implantable Miniature Telescope for treatment of macular degeneration. Do I need a special endorsement on my policy?

November 2011

• Is Diode Laser Cyclophotocoagulation included under Surgery Class 2 along with other laser procedures for the treatment of glaucoma?

October 2011

• Am I covered for the off-label use of Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) for the treatment of keratoconus?

September 2011

• Do I need a special endorsement on my policy to be covered for clear lens extraction for the treatment of glaucoma?

August 2011

• I am scheduled to give a deposition as a "fact witness" in a medical malpractice case involving a patient I treated. Will OMIC assign an attorney to represent me?

July 2011

• Does OMIC require that our employees be certified in CPR?

June 2011

• I have been asked to serve as a camp physician at a children's summer camp. Will OMIC cover me for these activities?

May 2011

• Will OMIC reimburse me for lost wages as a result of court appearances?

April 2011

• Does OMIC cover implantation of permanent keratoprostheses?

March 2011

• I performed cataract surgery with a premium IOL on my patient's right eye, and the patient is now anisometropic. Can I perform RLE on the other eye?

February 2011

• Will OMIC cover me for volunteer services I render in another country?

January 2011

• A patient filed a complaint with my state medical board. Is this covered under my policy?

December 2010

• We use different CPT codes than the ones listed on your application. Should I include these procedures in my estimated volumes?

November 2010

• What is OMIC's position regarding use of Avastin™ for treatment of ROP?

October 2010

• How often does OMIC revise its policy?

September 2010

• I just received a recall notice regarding equipment I use. Am I covered if I continue to use this equipment?

August 2010

• I am in a group practice but also have my own limited liability corporation (LLC). Does my corporation need to be named on my policy?

July 2010

• What is OMIC's position concerning satisfaction guarantees or warranties?

Jun 2010

• Does my OMIC policy allow me to co-manage my post-operative patients?

May 2010

• How often does OMIC modify its refractive surgery requirements?

April 2010

• Does my LASIK coverage include coverage for Presbyopic Multifocal LASIK (PML)?

March 2010

• The training course I am taking in another state to learn a new procedure offers hands-on opportunities. Will OMIC cover me for cases I perform during this training program?

February 2010

• Do I need coverage for my optical shop?

January 2010

• Does my policy cover me for services I render at my local nursing home?

December 2009

• When performing Intralase Keratoplasty, can I make the Intralase incision in my office and proceed with the transplant portion of the procedure in a local ASC or hospital?

November 2009

• I have patients with post-refractive ectasia who might benefit from corneal collagen crosslinking with riboflavin (C3-R/CxL). Will OMIC cover this treatment?

October 2009

• What is OMIC's position regarding simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery (SBCS)?

September 2009

• We are considering importing Restylane from a wholesaler in another country. Is this acceptable?

August 2009

• Is my optometrist covered for prescribing Latisse?

July 2009

• I read that Rituximab can be used in the treatment of intraocular lymphoma. Will OMIC cover this off-label treatment?

June 2009

• I am the supervising physician for a tele-ophthalmology reading center in which retinal photos taken in primary care offices are evaluated and interpreted by trained non-physicians for signs of diabetic retinopathy. Does my OMIC policy cover me for this activity?

April 2009

• I will be offering autologous serum tears to our patients and will draw blood and produce the drops onsite. Does my OMIC policy cover this?

March 2009

• Will my policy cover me for the treatment of eyelash loss using Latisse™ or similar products?

February 2009

• I have been asked to do telemedicine screenings for diabetic retinopathy. Will my OMIC policy cover me for these activities?

January 2009

• I will be taking 8 weeks of maternity leave. Can I place my policy on inactive status during this time to reduce my premium?

December 2008

• I would like to have former surgical patients serve as volunteers to mentor and assist current patients undergoing similar procedures. Do we have coverage for this?

November 2008

• How soon after a refractive surgery procedure can the first post-operative exam occur?

October 2008

• Does OMIC cover sclerotherapy?

September 2008

• Do OMIC's underwriting requirements permit me to see my pre-operative LASIK patients for the first time on the day of surgery?

August 2008

• What is OMIC’s position on using the Intralase machine to cut the flap at one location and continuing the LASIK surgery at another site?

July 2008

• Am I covered for performing bilateral same-day RLE or bilateral same-day phakic implant procedures?

June 2008

• I have been asked to perform surgery for a televised event. Will my OMIC policy cover this procedure?

May 2008

• I am thinking about employing a plastic surgeon. Will OMIC cover me if I am named in a claim for services he rendered?

April 2008

• Does OMIC cover remote ROP screening?

March 2008

• I have been asked to take call at my hospital but I practice in a reduced scope. Can I still take call?

February 2008

• I review medical records for the DMV and provide advice whether the person presents an increased driving risk. Does my OMIC policy cover me for these activities?

January 2008

• Can my optometrist take call for me?

November 2007

• I have been contacted by an online medical referral service to perform consultations for patients who have questions about their medical diagnoses or treatments. Will OMIC cover me for these activities?

October 2007

• We are thinking of offering audiology services to our patients. Will our OMIC policy cover these activities?

September 2007

• Does my policy cover me for my liability as Medical Director of a medi-spa?

August 2007

• Does my policy cover me for my liability as Medical Director of a medi-spa?

July 2007

• Will it jeopardize my coverage if I apologize to my patient for a bad outcome or medical error?

June 2007

• Does OMIC offer ROP-exclusive policies?

May 2007

• Does OMIC offer professional liability limits below $500,000 per claim?

April 2007

• Does OMIC's scope of practice exclusion prevent me from treating my family members or friends for non-ophthalmic conditions?

February 2007

• Does OMIC cover eyelash transplantation?

January 2007

• Am I covered if I provide care to my patients for emergency non-ophthalmic conditions?

December 2006

• I understand OMIC covers low vision screening under its "No Surgery" classification, but what about treatment of low vision with VRT™?

November 2006

• Is my technician covered for administering cosmetic Botox injections?

October 2006

• Will I pay a lower premium if I limit my practice to refractions, low vision screening, or other non-surgical activities?

August 2006

• What happens to my coverage if I move?

July 2006

• Will my policy cover me if I sell vitamins in my office?

June 2006

• Does my policy cover me for implanting eye jewelry?

May 2006

• Do I have to be ABO or AOBOO certified to qualify for OMIC coverage?

April 2006

• Do I need to complete an Intacs application if I am only using Intacs for therapeutic procedures?

March 2006

• Can OMIC insure me if I practice at a commercial refractive laser center?

February 2006

• Does my policy include coverage for DSEK?

January 2006

• Is my in-office surgical suite considered an “outpatient surgical facility” for underwriting or coverage purposes?

December 2005

• How do the limits work when my employed optometrist carries “shared” liability limits with me?

November 2005

• Does OMIC offer a risk management discount to physicians who use electronic medical records (EMR)?

September 2005

• Can I carry higher limits than the other members of my group practice carry?

July 2005

• What happens to my solo corporation's coverage if my employed physician becomes a shareholder?

March 2005

• I have been asked to perform cataract surgery on a dog. Would my OMIC policy respond in the event of a claim?

February 2005

• Will OMIC cover me for supervising residents?

December 2004

• Are refractive surgeons charged a higher premium than physicians who do not perform refractive surgery?

November 2004

• Will OMIC cover me for the intravitreal injection of kenalog?

October 2004

• Does OMIC cover low vision examinations?

August 2004

• Will OMIC insure me for my new practice activities if I return to practice following an extended sabbatical?

July 2004

• Will OMIC cover me for services I render at sporting events?

June 2004

• Will my OMIC policy cover me for claims arising from testimony I give as an expert witness?

May 2004

• Will OMIC cover me for my participation in clinical trials?

April 2004

• Does OMIC's policy extend coverage for cosmetic procedures?

March 2004

• My hospital has agreed to cover me for ROP services I render. How will this affect my coverage with OMIC and my premium?

February 2004

• Will OMIC cover me for implantation of a multifocal intraocular lens?

January 2004

• Will OMIC cover me for the performance of phakic implants?

July 2003

• Will my OMIC policy cover me for using Restylane?

April 2003

• Will OMIC insure a physician who unintentionally transmits the small pox virus to patients after becoming vaccinated for the disease?

February 2003

• Should I have my patients sign an arbitration agreement?

December 2002

• What is OMIC’s position regarding the performance of blepharoplasty in an office surgical suite as opposed to in a surgery center or hospital?

August 2002

• Does my OMIC policy cover me for botox injections?

May 2002

• What is the statute of limitations in my state?

April 2002

• Will OMIC cover me if I allow other physicians to use my surgical suite and I am named in a claim as a result?

February 2002

• Will my OMIC policy insure me if I perform refractive lens exchange (clear lens extraction) on a patient with early cataracts?

December 2001

• Do I need to specially apply for coverage of LASEK?

July 2001

• Will OMIC cover me if I am sued for reporting another physician to the licensing board or hospital?

June 2001

• Does my OMIC policy cover me for "breach of confidentiality" claims if a patient's medical information becomes public?

May 2001

• Does OMIC offer coverage in Puerto Rico or other territories/countries outside of the US?

April 2001

• Does OMIC insure physicians for proctoring other ophthalmologists?

February 2001

• Will OMIC cover a physician for volunteer services s/he renders performing routine medical or ophthalmic screening for indigents or the elderly?

January 2001

• Will OMIC insure a doctor for emergency room coverage?

December 2000

• Does OMIC cover physicians who perform Transpupillary Thermo Therapy (TTT)?

October 2000

• Will OMIC cover me if I accidentally injure operating room staff during a surgical procedure?

August 2000

• Does OMIC offer coverage for LTK (Laser Thermal Keratoplasty)?

June 2000

• Should I insure my professional entity?

April 2000

• Are leased employees covered under my policy?

March 2000

• What coverage does OMIC provide to physicians who share an office but aren't in a formal partnership or corporation?

December 1999

• What training is necessary for coverage of LASIK?

October 1999

• Do I have to perform any PRK procedures in order to qualify for coverage of LASIK?