General Membership Questions

1. Q: I am having problems receiving my monthly Ophthalmology Journal. How do I report this to the Academy?
   
   A: Submit a request for missing journals or complete and fax the form (PDF 194K) to Member Services at +1.415.561.8575. You can also submit a subscription change of address or complete and fax the form (PDF 84K) to Member Services.
   
   
2. Q: I used to be able to log onto the Academy's Web site with my last name and Academy ID number as my password and now it's telling me that I have to change it. Why?
   
   A: To comply with new online security standards, the Academy is required to ask some members to change their user name and password to something unique and different from what they have used in the past. If you are asked to make a change, please remember to share the new user name or password with office staff who access the Web site on your behalf and use your login information. The Academy will not be able to provide passwords over the phone.
   
   
3. Q: I received a cancellation letter for my Academy membership but I have decided to continue my membership. How do I do that online?
   
   A: Once your membership has been cancelled, you can no longer pay your dues online. Contact Member Services by phone at +1.415.561.8581 or e-mail member_services@aao.org to reinstate your membership.
   
   
4. Q: I received an invoice to pay dues but I am starting a fellowship program. What can I do to change my member category to a Member in Training?
   
   A: Complete the Member Category and Training Update form and return to Member Services by fax or mail.
   
   
5. Q: I let my dues lapse for more than a year. How can I become a member again?
   
   A: You have two options to become a member again. You may reinstate your membership by paying all outstanding dues (retaining your membership history and years accrued toward life member status) or you may reapply by submitting a new completed membership application.
   
   
6. Q: I am more than 60 years old. Is there a reduced rate for seniors?
   
   A: Unfortunately, the Academy does not have a reduced rate based on age. If you have been an active member for 35 consecutive years, you are eligible for the life member category. The maintenance fee for this member category is $150/year.
   
   
7. Q: I have cut the number of hours I see patients. Does the Academy have a semi-retired category or reduced dues rate for members who see patients only 50 percent of the time?
   
   A: Unfortunately, the Academy does not have a semi-retired category. If you are fully retired and no longer seeing patients, you may qualify for the inactive member category. Inactive members do not pay dues. They continue to receive many membership benefits but do not receive our print subscriptions (Ophthalmology Journal and EyeNet Magazine) or free registration for the Annual Meeting. Inactive members can subscribe to these benefits for a low cost. To change your status, submit a written or typed request to Member Services by fax to +1.415.561.8575 or e-mail to member_services@aao.org.
   
   
8. Q: I am currently an inactive member. I wish to change my member status to active. What do I need to do?
   
   A: We need a statement in writing from you requesting the change to active member status, along with a valid copy of your current medical license. You can fax this to Member Services at +1.415.561.8575.
   
   
9. Q: I am a practicing ophthalmologist but my member category says I am a Fellow. Why?
   
   A: A Fellow is a board-certified member of the Academy.
   
   
10. Q: I need a printout of my CME's. How do I retrieve this?

          A: After logging onto the Academy's Web site
          www.aao.org, click on the O.N.E. Network tab and then CME.
          Click on the "Review or Claim CME Online" button.

Annual Meeting Questions

    1.   Q: I applied for membership during this year's Annual Meeting
              but I have not received any information including my login.
              When can I expect to receive this?

          A: You can expect to receive a confirmation e-mail with your
              login information in early December with your new member
              packet sent out soon after. However, you will not be able to
              log in and be recognized as a member until January 1, 2010.

    2.  Q: I claimed my CME credits for the Annual Meeting while at the
             meeting. When can I expect to see them in my transcript?

         A:  You can expect to see your CME credits from the Annual
              Meeting beginning December 16.