Policyholder Services

I examine infants with a history of ROP for amblyopia, strabismus, and myopia. Do I need to complete an ROP questionnaire?

To answer the question, it is helpful to first explain why we ask physicians who provide ROP care to complete a supplemental questionnaire and undergo special underwriting review. Due to their potential for extremely high payouts, OMIC has developed underwriting requirements to reduce the risk of ROP-related claims and to improve the company’s ability to defend the insured should one arise.  All physicians who screen any premature infants for ROP when they are less than 55 weeks post-menstrual age (gestational age plus postnatal age), whether such examinations take place in the hospital or in an outpatient setting, and those who treat such infants for ROP must complete this process to ensure they are in compliance with OMIC’s underwriting requirements.

If you are only examining older infants (those who have met the end-of-screening criteria established in “Screening Examination of Premature Infants for Retinopathy of Prematurity,” the Policy Statement issued by the AAP Section on Ophthalmology, AAPOS, and AAO) to check for other conditions, such as amblyopia, strabismus or myopia, even if the infants have a history of ROP, the ROP Questionnaire and special underwriting review are not required.