Policyholder Services

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

Yes. Some patients may have difficulties returning to the surgeon’s office for follow-up care, whether due to a lack of available transportation, the distance involved, or other factors. Other patients may prefer to return to their routine eye care provider due to convenience, familiarity, or other reasons. In some cases, the surgeon him- or herself may be unavailable during part of the postoperative period. Provided the decision to comanage or transfer postoperative care to another practitioner is made with the patient’s best interests in mind and with the patient’s informed consent, and the postoperative care is coordinated in a responsible manner, such comanagement or transfer of care may be reasonable and appropriate.

There are patient safety and liability risks associated with comanagement, however. To minimize these risks, OMIC recommends that physicians follow the risk management principles discussed in Comanagement of Surgical Patients. See the document for details on each recommendation. We further recommend that these processes be documented in a formal written protocol.

• Determine the reason for comanagement.

• Credential the comanaging provider.

• Perform an independent preoperative evaluation.

• Obtain the patient’s informed consent for planned comanaged surgical care.

• Determine when the patient’s care may be safely delegated.

• Communicate with the comanaging provider.

• Comply with federal and state laws and regulations and with coding/billing rules.

Updated 8/24/2018