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Arch Ophthalmol. 2002;120:71-76.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

THERE ARE several areas of ophthalmology practice that are being affected by comanagement: (1) cataract surgery and the use of the Current Procedural Terminology 54/55 modifiers, (2) refractive surgery, and (3) perioperative care within managed care organizations. Comanagement is defined herein as a delegation of patient care services related to surgery: the surgeon arranges for certain aspects of preoperative or postoperative care to be delivered by another health care provider (typically another ophthalmologist or an optometrist). These arrangements per se are not unethical; however, ethical and legal concerns arise when fees are divided between providers or when referral networks are established.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Code of Ethics, rule 7, titled "Delegation of Services," allows for the sharing of eye care when the competence of those providing the services is appropriate. This rule is important and states:

Delegation is the use of auxiliary health care personnel to . . . [Full Text of this Article]

SUMMARY
Corresponding author and reprints: Samuel Packer, MD, 600 Northern Blvd, Suite 306, Great Neck, NY 11021 (e-mail: spacker@nshs.edu).