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Keys For Practicing in Nebraska

SCOPE OF PRACTICE

The Nebraska Optometric Association has successfully lobbied for expanding the scope of optometric practice in the state, allowing Nebraska ODs to practice under one of the best optometry laws in the U.S.

LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

In order to get an optometric license in Nebraska, you should contact the Board of Optometry and request the following:
  • state optometric laws and regulations
  • continuing education requirements
  • process for submitting continuing education hours (16 hours annually)
  • application for a license number

    This information may be obtained from:
    State of Nebraska
    Board of Optometry
    Vicki Bumgarner
    301 Centennial Mall South
    P. O. Box 95007
    Lincoln, NE 68509-5007
    (402) 471-2118

    EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION/TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

    To open or maintain an optometric practice, you will need a federal tax identification number (EIN). This tax ID number will also serve as your employer identification number if you own your practice and employ other people.

    To request a tax identification number, contact the Internal Revenue Service at 800-829-1040 for an application form.

    D.E.A. NUMBER

    If you are therapeutically certified, you are licensed to prescribe controlled substances in the State of Nebraska. Regardless of whether or not you actually prescribe these medications, a federal Drug Enforcement Agency (D.E.A.) number is probably required by the state of Nebraska. As a practical matter, you should obtain a Drug Enforcement Agency number despite the expense. Most third party programs require a DEA number on their applications, and many pharmacies balk at filling prescriptions unless a DEA number is provided.

    To obtain your DEA number contact the Drug Enforcement Agency in St. Louis at 888-803-1179. If you want your DEA registration to cover the full range of drugs, you will need to check the blocks labeled Schedule II (narcotic only), Schedule III, Schedule III-N, Schedule IV, and Schedule V. If you have further questions contact support staff for the Nebraska Board of Optometry (402 471-2118), or Wanda who works with Nebraska's controlled substance enforcement (402 471-2115).

    MEDICARE

    The Medicare program is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 or older and certain disabled people. It is governed by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Social Security Administration offices across the country take applications for Medicare and provide general information about the program. The Social Security Administration is also responsible for any changes or termination of a patient's Medicare enrollment.

    There are two parts to the Medicare program. Hospital Insurance (Part A) helps pay for inpatient hospital care, some inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility, home health care and hospice care. Medical Insurance (Part B) helps pay for medically-necessary services by physicians, outpatient hospital services, home health care, and a number of other medical services and supplies that are not covered by Part A. Optometrists may participate in Part B and are considered physicians within their scope of practice.

    The federal government contracts with various entities to serve as Medicare Carriers and administer the Medicare Part B program. Each region in the U.S. has its own Local Medicare Carrier. For Nebraska, the Local Carrier for professional services is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. For eyeglasses, the Durable Medical Equipment Regional Carrier (DMERC) for Nebraska is CIGNA, located in Nashville, TN (Nebraska is in DMERC Region D).

    How to enroll in Medicare Part B

    Depending on the nature of involvement you choose with Medicare, you may need two separate applications to be a Medicare provider.

    To become a Medicare provider for services, you will need both a provider application and a Unique Physician Identification Number (UPIN). The UPIN is not the same as your Medicare Provider Number, but you can request a UPIN at the same time as you request your provider application. Your UPIN is used by Medicare to keep track of prescribing/ordering physicians no matter where they may practice and stays with you for the duration of your participation in Medicare.

    To request a provider application for services and a UPIN, call Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas at (866) 839-2440.

    To provide eyeglasses under Medicare Part B, you will need to enroll with the Regional DMERC. The DMERC processes claims for durable medical equipment, medical supplies, orthotics and prosthetics. Eyeglasses are defined as a prosthetic within the Medicare program, so you bill the DMERC for eyeglasses when they meet Medicare coverage criteria.

    To enroll with the DMERC you must contact the National Supplier Clearing House. You can write them at P. O. Box 100142, Columbia, SC 29202-3142 or call (866)238-9652. If you call, we recommend you get the name of the individual with whom you speak. Several optometrists have complained of problems with the enrollment procedures and processing of applications.

    When you send in your provider application to the Medicare Carriers for Nebraska, make sure to ask for a current Medicare Manual.

    MEDICAID

    Medicaid is a state medical assistance program. Funding is provided by the State and Federal governments. The Medicaid program in Nebraska is administered by the State, but in some cases contracted out to different HMOs and PPOs for some patients in the Lincoln and Omaha area.

    To enroll in the Medicaid program and receive your 11-digit Medicaid provider number, write to:

    Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services
    Jennifer Neal
    P. O. Box 95026
    Lincoln, NE 68509-5026
    (402) 471-9717





    • Phone 402.474.7716 Email: noa@assocoffice.net