**Scam Alert**

Criminals are attempting to extort money by claiming to be state officials investigating fraud or illegal drug activity from the offices of Optometrists.  The criminals attempt to gain credibility by providing information, including license information, that the criminals obtain from public internet sources.  This scam usually involves one or more people who call by phone and then follow up with official looking letters that have symbols or letterhead that were pulled off the internet and pasted onto a Word document.  The criminals make the phone calls appear (Caller ID) to come from a state agencies or other legitimate institutions.  In at least one instance, the criminals attempted to convince an Optometrist to pay a "fine" using gift cards.  

If you receive a call from these criminals, call your local police department and file a complaint with the Indiana Attorney General's Office.  

Self Study CE Waiver Expired on June 30

All directives in executive orders which continued throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency were rescinded and ceased on June 30, 2021. This includes the CE waiver of the 8 hour limit on self study CE (including online and virtual CE). All online CE courses, which must include post course exams to qualify for credit, that are taken prior to June 30 can be used toward the 40 hour CE requirement for the license cycle ending on April 1, 2022. After June 30, online CE hours will only be valid if you have not already obtained 8 online hours during this license cycle.

IOA offers 33 hours of recorded virtual as well as other online continuing education courses.  Click here for details!

IOA recommends following CDC mask guidelines

Although Indiana's COVID-19 mask mandate ended on April 6, IOA recommends continued adherence to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendation that face masks be worn in Optometric offices by the public and staff.  Healthcare offices attract people of varying ages and with various medical conditions.  Adherence to mask use ensures that all Hoosiers will continue to have access to healthcare in a safe environment that suits their age and the condition of their health. For more information, the AOA has released updated guidance for optometrists here.