The North Carolina Optometric Society is the trusted voice of optometry in the state of North Carolina. In conjunction with the American Optometric Association, the NCOS advocates on behalf of its members before legislators, third party providers, and other professional organizations to protect and expand the scope of practice at both the state and federal levels.
As an NCOS member you will be kept informed of legislative and third party issues and the impact they have on your profession.
Dedicated Third Party Liaison
Dr. Rebecca Wartman, one of the leading third party experts in optometry, serves as the NCOS’s Third Party Liaison. Dr. Wartman works on behalf of the NCOS to develop strong relationships and open communication with all insurers, assists, educates, and resolves insurance concerns for members, and educates members regarding payor policies and government policies affecting your profession.
Third Party Center
The Third Party Center is an online resource for NCOS members and their staff. Here you will find the latest news on third party/insurance issues, on-demand education webinars presented by Dr. Wartman, important documents, and how to contact Dr. Wartman with any questions or concerns.
Continuing Education Events
NCOS provides the highest quality continuing education in the state in both in-person and virtual settings. Our Virtual Seminar offers you the opportunity to earn CE from the convenience of your home and our in-person Spring and Fall Congresses offer non-formal settings to connect and socialize with fellow optometrists while also earning CE credits. Spring Congress is held in Myrtle Beach, SC and Fall Congress is held in Asheville, NC, providing excellent getaway destinations with your significant other or family. Members save up to $640/yr on event registration!
Local District Societies
As an NCOS member you have the opportunity to join one of our ten local district societies (additional dues apply). Societies typically meet 10 times a year and provide a great way to connect and socialize with local colleagues while earning CE credits. All CE provided is included in your local district society's membership dues.
News
As a member, you will receive both NCOS e-news and Eye on Third Party via email every other week. NCOS e-news delivers the latest news and information on topics that impact our members the most. Eye on Third Party delivers the latest news and information on insurance, payors, billing, and coding from Dr. Rebecca Wartman, NCOS Third Party Liaison and leading third party expert in optometry.
You will also receive NCOS News, the premier magazine for NCOS members. This is mailed out twice a year in the summer and winter. NCOS News delivers a blend of updates, in-depth analysis and personal stories from optometrists across the state on topics that matter most to the profession. This big-picture view is the perfect complement to the weekly updates members receive from our e-news.
Classifieds
Our classified ads are a favorite among our members! Classifieds include available positions, practice opportunities, and equipment for sale.
Contract Review Service
Our contract review service gives graduating students and young ODs exclusive access to an attorney to review an employee/employer contract at a nominal cost. This service allows for up to 1 hour of telephone, virtual, or in-person legal consultation with the law firm used by the North Carolina Optometric Society. The NCOS has subsidized the cost of the attorney's fees so members are only required to pay $100 per 1-hour consultation, resulting in a discount of over 65%.
AOA Membership
Membership with the NCOS means that you will also be a member of the American Optometric Association. Together we provide outstanding resources and support to optometrists at both the state and national level. And, according to the AOA's annual Income from Optometry Report, AOA members earn an average of 8.5% more than their non-member peers!
SECO Membership
As an NCOS Member, you will also be considered a member of the Southern Council of Optometrists. SECO members receive a $50 registration discount for the annual SECO Congress. You can also enroll in SECO University, optometry's largest and most comprehensive educational resource center for optometric education online. When you enroll, 50% of your annual subscription rate goes directly to the NCOS to help support its mission.
Networking
As a member, you will have exclusive access to the largest network of optometrists in the state. Countless friendships, mentorships and professional relationships have been formed as a result of NCOS membership.
Because mentorships can be such an invaluable method of networking, we have started a Mentorship Program to help bring prospective and young optometrists into the mix in an effort to increase civic engagement and build new foundations for growth.
Leadership Opportunities
At NCOS, we offer a number of leadership roles that allow our members to grow professionally including, but not limited to, serving as an Officer, Trustee, Committee Chair, District Officer, or Young OD Regional Representative.
We also have a Leadership Program for members in their 2nd - 10th year of licensure. The purpose of the Leadership Program is to create more avenues for young ODs to engage and experience the significant role NCOS plays in the profession through active participation. The program identifies future leaders and provides valuable learning experiences through group sessions, individual activities, and a group project.
Professional Recognition
Being an NCOS and AOA member demonstrates to your patients that you are in good standing within the professional optometric community. The Award for Clinical Excellence, Optometrist of the Year, and Young Optometrist of the Year are presented at our Fall Congress giving individual recognition to North Carolina’s very best optometrists.
Practice Listing on NCEyes.org Find a Doctor Search
All practicing NCOS members will be listed in our find a doctor search along with a profile picture.
Young ODs Program
As a young professional, navigating through the early years of your career can be difficult. That is why we have a Young ODs Program for all optometrists 10 or less years in practice.
The Young ODs Program provides an opportunity for our younger members to connect and network, collectively share and embrace present issues facing young OD’s and optometry as a profession, and to start getting involved with the NCOS. This is done by putting together social events in different regions throughout the state.
Member Directory
Our online member directory is an invaluable reference tool that provides professional contact information for all of our members.
Tiered Membership Dues
Both the NCOS and AOA offer a tiered dues scale in an effort to ease the burden of membership for early career optometrists and reward long standing members.
Member Benefit Partners
The NCOS is committed to providing our members exclusive tangible benefits and discounted services to help save you money. Check out our Member Benefit Partners.
Access to Expertise
Feel confident knowing that the NCOS’s leadership and staff will support and assist with any questions, issues or concerns you have as you navigate through your career.
