Source: http://pennsylvania.aoa.org/x7712.xml
Join POA
- Active Membership Application
- Partial Practice Membership Application
- Federal Service Membership Application
- Associate Membership Application
- Life Membership Application
- Student Membership Application
- Retired Membership Application
|
|
Welcome to the Pennsylvania Optometric Association!
As soon as POA receives notice that you have received a license, you will immediately be granted free membership in POA, AOA and a local society for the remainder of that calendar year. In order to continue that membership into the next calendar year, you’ll need to return the Data Form enclosed with the initial mailing you’ll receive or complete a membership application.
Benefits of Membership
- Advocacy
- Education
- Networking & Collegiality
- Professional Information
- Public Relations
- Pediatric Vision Care Initiative
- Ophthalmic Supply Discounts
- POA Electronic Claims Service and Optometric Office Supplies
- Insurance Protection
- Debt Collection Service
- Retirement Planning (401K)
- Merchant Credit Card Programs
- Pennsylvania Magazine
- CMS 1500 Forms & Fee Slips
- Long Distance Telephone Service
- Credit Union Membership
- Equipment Leasing
- Car Rental
- Overnight Package Delivery
- Reference/Loaner Library
- PA Vision Conservation Institute (VCI)
If you have questions about membership, please contact POA at (717) 233-6455 or mail@poaeyes.org.
Membership Dues
Membership in organized optometry begins with the Pennsylvania Optometric Association. When you join POA, you are also joining both your local optometric society and the American Optometric Association. In this way, you are represented at the local, state and national level and contribute to every aspect of your profession.
Not only does POA have 12 member categories, but also dues are based on a sliding scale for newly licensed optometrists. Because there are three separate but linked organizations, a number of membership categories and a sliding scale, computing your dues can be confusing. So if your payment is not accurate, we will invoice you or credit the overpayment to the following year. Please feel free to contact the POA office at mail@poaeyes.org or call (717) 233-6455 with any questions, or click here for an application.
2009 Membership Dues
| American Optometric Association | $651 plus $85 PR dues assessment |
|
|
|
| Pennsylvania Optometric Association | $635 |
|
|
|
| Local Society | $20 - 75 |
|
|
|
| Total: | $1,391 - 1,446 |
| *Postgraduate, Life and Federal Service members do not pay state dues. There are also reduced dues for Partial Practice and Retired members and for active members over the age of 70. Contact the POA office at mail@poaeyes.org or call (717) 233-6455 for details. | |
Sliding Scale
The sliding scale for newly licensed optometrists is as follows:
| Year of original licensure | 0% of active dues |
|
|
|
| First year after licensure | 10% of active dues |
|
|
|
| Second year after licensure | 20% of active dues |
|
|
|
| Third year after licensure | 50% of active dues |
|
|
|
| Fourth year after licensure | 75% of active dues |
|
|
|
| Fifth & subsequent years | 100% of active dues |
Membership Categories
We invite you to join your colleagues in support of optometry by becoming a member of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association. You may download an application or contact the POA office to discuss membership opportunities at (717) 233-6455 or mail@poaeyes.org.
Active Member
A licensed doctor of optometry who is practicing in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and who is a member of an affiliated society and the American Optometric Association.
Partial Practice Member
A doctor of optometry who works three (3) days or less per week in compensated optometric-related activities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. One day equals eight (8) hours. Partial Practice members working one (1) day or less pay 20% of full dues, those working up to two (2) days pay 40% of full dues and those working up to three (3) days pay 60% of full dues.
Special Class Member
A doctor of optometry who is not engaged in the industrial, clinical, private or group practice of optometry and not in the federal service. Special Class members pay no POA dues, but pay full AOA dues.
Educator Member
A doctor of optometry who holds a full-time faculty or administrative position at an accredited school or college. Educator members pay no POA dues, but pay full AOA dues.
Post-Graduate Member
A doctor of optometry who is a full-time student in an accredited institution, or resident or fellow in a residency program. Post-Graduate members pay no dues.
Federal Service Member
A doctor of optometry who is a Federal Service member of the American Optometric Association or an affiliated society of POA. Federal Service members pay no POA dues, but pay full AOA dues.
Retired Member
A doctor of optometry who is no longer engaged in compensated optometric-related activities, is not eligible for life membership, has been a member for 25 or more years, and is at least 55 years of age. Retired members pay 25% of full dues.
Life Member
A doctor of optometry who has been a continuous member for thirty-five (35) or more years or who has attained the age of sixty-five (65), or who is permanently incapacitated. Eligibility for Life membership must be documented by the affiliated society and conferred by the Board of Directors. Life members pay no dues.
Honorary Member
An individual who has rendered meritorious service to POA and/or to optometry.
Special Honorary Member
A doctor of optometry who has served as president of both POA and AOA.
Associate Member
A doctor of optometry whose primary practice is in another state and is a member of that state optometric association and the American Optometric Association. Associate members pay dues of $75.
Student Member
An optometric student who is a member of the Pennsylvania Optometric Student Society. AOA also has a student membership program available directly through the American Optometric Association. Student members pay no POA dues.