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COPE changes rules allowing INTERACTIVE ONLINE CE to substitute for IN-PERSON!

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Due to the mass cancellation of in-person CE events, ARBO/COPE are temporarily loosening their restrictions on what they consider "Live" CE.

From now until May 31, 2020 June 30,2020 December 31, courses that are "online interactive" (ie, programs that you watch online, where the speaker is available to answer questions in real-time) will now be marked instead as "LIVE" on your ARBO CE tracker transcript.

Because of the unprecedented demand, CEwire2020 is coming back live online on:
April 25 & 26
May 30 & 31
June 27 & 28
August 22 & 23
October 17 & 18
November 14 & 15
December 12 & 13

With 63 COPE-Approved Credits each time, that you can take as "Live" (Incredibly, all our speakers have agreed to return to be there live on those dates. We're even adding a couple of more new classes too.)

Because of the Rule Change, CEwire2020 meets the ENTIRE CE REQUIREMENT for this cycle in these states (we'll add more as we learn more!):

Alabama
Arizona
California
Idaho
Kansas
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Nevada
New York
New Jersey (also meets the "orals" and "narcotics" requirements)
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Texas (except.. I think there's a special hour on domestic violence we don't offer? If there's enough interest, we can add it. We have the opioid class already. Texans please chime in.)
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

Canada - all provinces (Category A!)


-
If you've already signed up for CEwire2020, you're welcome to come back live on those dates and watch the lectures to obtain live credit. ONE registration fee entitles you to attend all the live events we're putting on throughout the year -- your login will work the entire time.

If you'd like to sign up, just visit the CEwire2020 web site and click "Register".

Hope to see you there!!

Adam


cope-rules-modification.png
 
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Reactions: Alex Lukens OD, Antonio Campbell and sevda topalova
Laurence Craig Thomas said:
Cool...
Click to expand...
My reading of the rule is that the states have to agree to it, but COPE is giving them the flexibility to do so.

If your state doesn't, please flog them with a wet noodle.

ad
 
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Reactions: Antonio Campbell
Ok, if everyone could do me a favor -- contact your board and ask if they are honoring the COPE rule changes.

Just with talking to COPE a few minutes ago, they know of one already:

"I know off the top of my head that the Kansas Board is accepting our modifications for COPE only. They still have their own Board-approved courses- not sure what the rulings are for that. "

We'll collect the changes in this thread.

Thanks
ad
 
Jonathan Warner said:
Adam,

Can we still sign up for CE Wire 2020?

If so, link please.
Click to expand...
Of course!

You should see a link at the top of the page, but here ya go -- https://www.cewire2020.com

We managed to convince all the speakers to return for the April encore, so it should be a fun show.
I'm thinking of opening up the phone lines during the event, and just allowing docs to call in and vent.... it is going to be a lonely month.

-- ad
 
BTW people have asked me to clarify this rule change, i'll do my best (i've spent the last 3 days interacting with the ARBO/COPE folks, as we want to make sure it applies to CEwire2020, since we're re-running the live conference on April 25 & 26. ARBO's heart is in the right place here -- they are trying to make things easier on docs since in-person conferences have gone the way of the dodo for the foreseeable future.)

The gist is that through May 31st, if a talk is held online that was COPE-approved for live CE, then attendees will get "live" CE credit on their transcript. It won't say "Online Interactive" on the transcript -- it will say "Live" (the same as you see if you attended in person.)

The big question everyone has is "will my state accept this as a real live credit?" And the answer is ... it is up to the state. I suspect we are going to see a huge amount of flexibility this year where possible. We've already just seen Pennsylvania accept 100% online credits, I don't think they are going to be the last to do so.

-- adam
 
Texas Board Website:

Live Continuing Education Requirements

The Board approves Live Webinars for live CE Credit. A live webinar allows interaction between the presenter and attendees. Courses are listed on the Board’s website with the location listed as “Live Webinar.” Note that live credit may only be obtained by attending the course on the dates listed. There may be COPE approved Live Webinars that are not listed but will be subsequently approved by the Board for live credit.
 
jaime grossman said:
Is there any chance of adding a class in Human Trafficking that is now required for Florida- it’s only been approved if live.
Click to expand...
Hi Jaime,
It is unlikely; Each course we put together costs thousands of dollars, and up until now, Florida has so strictly limited online CE that we've shied away from doing any state-specific course like that.

Maybe the board will have a change of heart soon?

-- adam
 
jaime grossman said:
Is there any chance of adding a class in Human Trafficking that is now required for Florida- it’s only been approved if live.
Click to expand...
I reached out to Florida board and received a friendly response. Essentially the communique said the board will meet in early April to discuss online CE so they know it’s front and Center in the present word.
 
AdminWolf said:
COPE sent this letter out today.

Due to the mass cancellation of in-person CE events, they are temporarily loosening their restrictions on what they consider "Live" CE.

From now until May 31, 2020, courses that are "online interactive" (ie, programs that you watch online, where the speaker is available to answer questions in real-time) will now be marked instead as "LIVE" on your ARBO CE tracker transcript.

Because of the unprecedented demand, CEwire2020 is coming back live online on April 25 & 26, with 60 COPE-Approved Credits that you can take as "Live" (Incredibly, all our speakers have agreed to return to be there live on those dates. We're even adding a couple of more new classes too.)

If you've already signed up for CEwire2020, you're welcome to come back live on those dates and watch the lectures to obtain live credit.

If you'd like to sign up, just visit the CEwire2020 web site and click "Register".

Hope to see you there!!

Adam


View attachment 25337
Click to expand...
AdminWolf said:
COPE sent this letter out today.

Due to the mass cancellation of in-person CE events, they are temporarily loosening their restrictions on what they consider "Live" CE.

From now until May 31, 2020, courses that are "online interactive" (ie, programs that you watch online, where the speaker is available to answer questions in real-time) will now be marked instead as "LIVE" on your ARBO CE tracker transcript.

Because of the unprecedented demand, CEwire2020 is coming back live online on April 25 & 26, with 60 COPE-Approved Credits that you can take as "Live" (Incredibly, all our speakers have agreed to return to be there live on those dates. We're even adding a couple of more new classes too.)

If you've already signed up for CEwire2020, you're welcome to come back live on those dates and watch the lectures to obtain live credit.

If you'd like to sign up, just visit the CEwire2020 web site and click "Register".

Hope to see you there!!

Adam


View attachment 25337
Click to expand...
I thought that "online interactive" and passing the exam WAS considered and synonymous with "Live". At least in NYS
 
NY does allow Online -Interactive but others do not so LIVe is LIVE is LIVE which is now the case for Cewire2020.com on April 25th-26th
 
Any updates from Florida if this will count for their live ce requirements.

I see they allowed human trafficking online.
 
anup panjwani said:
Any updates from Florida if this will count for their live ce requirements.

I see they allowed human trafficking online.
Click to expand...
Yes they allow 1 credit human trafficking as per what you found out. They are not allowing anything else online in any form as of their last meeting on April 3rd. What is with them???????????????
 
AdminWolf said:
BTW people have asked me to clarify this rule change, i'll do my best (i've spent the last 3 days interacting with the ARBO/COPE folks, as we want to make sure it applies to CEwire2020, since we're re-running the live conference on April 25 & 26. ARBO's heart is in the right place here -- they are trying to make things easier on docs since in-person conferences have gone the way of the dodo for the foreseeable future.)

The gist is that through May 31st, if a talk is held online that was COPE-approved for live CE, then attendees will get "live" CE credit on their transcript. It won't say "Online Interactive" on the transcript -- it will say "Live" (the same as you see if you attended in person.)

The big question everyone has is "will my state accept this as a real live credit?" And the answer is ... it is up to the state. I suspect we are going to see a huge amount of flexibility this year where possible. We've already just seen Pennsylvania accept 100% online credits, I don't think they are going to be the last to do so.

-- adam
Click to expand...

Adam,
Can you clarify if tests will be taken after the live April 25 & 26 CEwire2020?
 
mike krysiak said:
Adam,
Can you clarify if tests will be taken after the live April 25 & 26 CEwire2020?
Click to expand...
I can. Again for the two day live event no test is needed if you watch the lectures live
Afterward on demand you have to take a 10 question quiz. The courses in this modality will be available until October 1st.
 
jaime grossman said:
Will these credits count as live CE for Georgia?
Click to expand...
They count as LIVE per COPE/ARBO. We assume states will agree but to be sure call your state board and ask if online LIVE COPE credits will be recognized. I do have this information from another presentation:
  • Live or Distance Learning CE with No Limitation on # Hours: Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Virginia Ohio and we presume Indiana
  • On-Line or Distance Learning CE with Limitation on # Hours: California, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Washington.
 
Alina Balasa said:
If the course is watched on demand after the conclusion of the two day live event and the quiz is completed will it still count as a Live Course?
Click to expand...
Nope -- You MUST watch LIVE in order to get a LIVE credit. That's ARBO's rule -- the speaker must be available via some live mechanism (in our case, text chat), in order for you to qualify for the live credit.

So if you watch live = you get the live credit. If you watch on demand and take a quiz, with no speaker around = online enduring credit.

Thanks!
Adam
 
Alina Balasa said:
If the course is watched on demand after the conclusion of the two day live event and the quiz is completed will it still count as a Live Course?
Click to expand...
No the software timestamps when you watched. When you watch live the speaker is in the room to interact. If you take on-demand later, ARBO does not recognize this as a LIVE event and a quiz is necessary. Don't shoot the messenger
 
AdminWolf said:
Nope -- You MUST watch LIVE in order to get a LIVE credit. That's ARBO's rule -- the speaker must be available via some live mechanism (in our case, text chat), in order for you to qualify for the live credit.

So if you watch live = you get the live credit. If you watch on demand and take a quiz, with no speaker around = online enduring credit.

Thanks!
Adam
Click to expand...
beat me to it
 
Just a quick update for those who haven't been following closely, the deadline for live CE equivalence was extended to June 30, 2020 -- so we're planning to run CEwire2020 live two more times before the deadline.

If ARBO pushes the deadline again, we'll let you know here.

thanks
ad
 
AdminWolf said:
Just a quick update for those who haven't been following closely, the deadline for live CE equivalence was extended to June 30, 2020 -- so we're planning to run CEwire2020 live two more times before the deadline.

If ARBO pushes the deadline again, we'll let you know here.

thanks
ad
Click to expand...
Plus if signed up for the February or April conference you can enter free! Many hours to obtain LIVE COPE credits.
 
A question which might be on your mind...


Aloha
I usually take your online to satisfy part of my CE for Hawaii. It looks like 16 hours of live webcam can be earned on OD Wire May 30&31.
Will I log into each course separately? Will there be a quiz required for live courses? The reason I ask is It looks like the conference starts 5 am Hawaiian time. (I’m not too sharp early mornings for quizzes)


The response...

Thanks for reaching out!

Due to the temporary change in the COPE rules (because of COVID-19), there are NO tests if you watch live on May 30 & 31, and on June 27/28 — so conceivably you could hit 32 “live” credits if you have the stamina :)

The only thing you need to do after each talk is enter your OE tracker # and click a button that says you were there — sort of like a sign-in sheet.

We’ll then report your credits to ARBO, no muss no fuss!

Hope to see you there, it should be fun
 
jaime grossman said:
Will the Saturday classes that are scheduled in May also be the Saturday classes in June or will you be rotating them to the Sunday schedule in June?
Click to expand...
So far all will be the same except for one speaker who has a conflict. This keeps it simple for our All-Star speakers. Juggling the schedule might creat confusion. With 4 tracks you can plan your courses well ahead of time
 
AdminWolf said:
Hi Jaime,
It is unlikely; Each course we put together costs thousands of dollars, and up until now, Florida has so strictly limited online CE that we've shied away from doing any state-specific course like that.

Maybe the board will have a change of heart soon?

-- adam
Click to expand...

When you say Florida, I’m assuming you mean it as a whole with all the boards.

I have a good friend who is a MD and she is allowed all online ce pre pandemic.

Let’s say one of the local societies hosts a conference. Let people do in person or virtual and charge the same. Where’s the loss in dollars?

Maybe it can be a Zoom meeting.

Maybe the board can restrict to do online only offered by Florida Societies. I’m not the brightest but if other states have found ways to get around it the board in Florida should be able to do so also.

They did it for school children.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Nita Thakor said:
I have a good friend who is a MD and she is allowed all online ce pre pandemic.
Click to expand...

You are correct.

Adam Farkas,MD,MBA, who runs the marketing and tech end of ODwire.org and CEwire2020 has taken his Florida relicensing C/E on line since the year 2000, without ever attending a live class. Somehow the Florida medical board believes on line education works in the 21st century.:rolleyes:

During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, many state boards loosened their requirements and considered CEwire2020 Live and interactive to be equal to on site Brick and Mortar C/E. The result has been ODs taking advantage of this limited offer. Unless COPE/ARBO has second thoughts this limited offer ends 6/30/20. CEwire 2020 offers it's last 63 hours of live and interactive courses on 6/27/20 and 6/28/20...
https://www.cewire2020.com/images/cewire2020-course-schedule-full.pdf

After that couses are "On Demand" until 10/1/20.

State Associations have lost income during the past 3 months because their state meetings were a revenue source. Perhaps in the future, they will become creative on how to utilize on line education and have an income stream.

An example state boards can follow is the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) who cancelled their September meeting and chose to go to a live on line meeting and education in August.

Time will tell If Vision Expo West in September will be live followed by the American Academy of Optometry in October will hold live meeting or possible even have a combination for those ODs who remain uncomfortable travelling .

Stay tuned...
 
Paul Farkas said:
You are correct.

Adam Farkas,MD,MBA, who runs the marketing and tech end of ODwire.org and CEwire2020 has taken his Florida relicensing C/E on line since the year 2000, without ever attending a live class. Somehow the Florida medical board believes on line education works in the 21st century.:rolleyes:

During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, many state boards loosened their requirements and considered CEwire2020 Live and interactive to be equal to on site Brick and Mortar C/E. The result has been ODs taking advantage of this limited offer. Unless COPE/ARBO has second thoughts this limited offer ends 6/30/20. CEwire 2020 offers it's last 63 hours of live and interactive courses on 6/27/20 and 6/28/20...
https://www.cewire2020.com/images/cewire2020-course-schedule-full.pdf

After that couses are "On Demand" until 10/1/20.

State Associations have lost income during the past 3 months because their state meetings were a revenue source. Perhaps in the future, they will become creative on how to utilize on line education and have an income stream.

An example state boards can follow is the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) who cancelled their September meeting and chose to go to a live on line meeting and education in August.

Time will tell If Vision Expo West in September will be live followed by the American Academy of Optometry in October will hold live meeting or possible even have a combination for those ODs who remain uncomfortable travelling .

Stay tuned...
Click to expand...


Thank you for taking the time to reply and making the distinction of live and on demand.

I posted a big rant somewhere here in the forum of my goal to communicate to the board and I’m asking anyone else who is renewing in Florida to also address them if it serves their interests. I do not practice in Florida, just Georgia and don’t have much of a network with ODs in Florida and am appreciative that ODwire exists.

Yes I did see the CEwire2020 option and think that’s awesome. So great that when I spoke to the regulations specialist at Fl Dept of Health, who also oversees other boards, I asked her specifically if that is an option for me currently and she said no and only the trafficking course. My response was similar to what my 5 year old would say, if a neurosurgeon can crack open a head and do online classes why can’t I? She tried really hard to control her laughter.

I might be wrong but I think many would love to have this option. As far as dollars, charge the same and in addition I will also donate what I would spend in travel, hotel and food to their association. Where’s the loss? As far as state associations, there is a potential loss of revenue from folks that will end their membership. My phone call to the state association was responded with go ask the board. I was expecting a better response such as why don’t you address it to our committee and here is their email. Go figure.

Honestly I don’t care much that state associations have lost 3 months of revenue. How about they step back and look at how much revenue has been lost in the country and our current state in addition to how we are trying maintain social distancing.

I think at minimum there should be an exception made in this biennium and then continue on with their Napoleon complex if they choose to do so.

Yes I will stay tuned. What’s my hurry? They need to make a decision sooner than later so people who are hosting have ample time to make adjustments.

And I will end with mentioning my husband is a director of an assisted living facility and we live in Atlanta. If I’m not allowed to do online CE and forced to attend live lecture, who’s saving me a seat next to them?
 
Quick Update for everyone --

ARBO has extended their rule change regarding online-ce-counting-as-live --

It was supposed to end June 30, now it is going until December 31!

As such, we've decided to re-run CEwire2020 LIVE several more times until the end of the year (June 27-28, August 22-23, October 17-18, November 14-15, December 12-13)

Your existing registration is valid at any and all live events we put on -- there's no need to pay more or register again!
Each one of those live events will feature (at least) 63 credits, and possibly a few additional new courses as we go!

Because of this, as far as I can tell, people in the following states can meet 100% of their CE requirements with CEwire2020 for this cycle (thanks Steve for doing the legwork):

Alabama
Arizona
California
Idaho
Kansas
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Nevada
New York
New Jersey (also meets the "orals" and "narcotics" requirements)
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Texas (except.. I think there's a special hour on domestic violence we don't offer? If there's enough interest, we can add it. We have the opioid class already. Texans please chime in.)
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

Canada - all provinces (Category A!)

... please help us add to this list, we're not completely sure which states are honoring ARBO's extended rule change yet.

Thanks!
Adam
 
Last edited:
Yep. With all the hours in 8 days all CE can be achieved with an order of magnitude less cost with great content. WE are adding one new lecture By Dr. Sue Resnick and Whitney Hauser and more to come!!!

All newbies get all 4 for $159
 
AdminWolf said:
Quick Update for everyone --

ARBO has extended their rule change regarding online-ce-counting-as-live --

It was supposed to end June 30, now it is going until December 31!

As such, we've decided to re-run CEwire2020 LIVE several more times until the end of the year (June 27-28, August 22-23, October 17-18, November 14-15, December 12-13)

Your existing registration is valid at any and all live events we put on -- there's no need to pay more or register again!
Each one of those live events will feature (at least) 63 credits, and possibly a few additional new courses as we go!

Because of this, as far as I can tell, people in the following states can meet 100% of their CE requirements with CEwire2020 for this cycle (thanks Steve for doing the legwork):

Alabama
Arizona
California
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Nevada
New York
New Jersey (also meets the "orals" and "narcotics" requirements)
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Texas (except.. I think there's a special hour on domestic violence we don't offer? If there's enough interest, we can add it. We have the opioid class already. Texans please chime in.)
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin

Canada - all provinces (Category A!)

... please help us add to this list, we're not completely sure which states are honoring ARBO's extended rule change yet.

Thanks!
Adam
Click to expand...

As far as I can tell from the California Board website, the special exception allowing live online CE expires on 6/30/20. Does anyone have any other information about this?
 
Andrew Gore said:
As far as I can tell from the California Board website, the special exception allowing live online CE expires on 6/30/20. Does anyone have any other information about this?
Click to expand...
No clue, as the ARBO decision is really recent... my gut tells me they are going to follow ARBO, because in-person opportunities are going to be extremely rare. California is being just as careful about the virus as we are here in Oregon -- masks everywhere, etc... I don't see large groups of people meeting any time soon.
 
AdminWolf said:
No clue, as the ARBO decision is really recent... my gut tells me they are going to follow ARBO, because in-person opportunities are going to be extremely rare. California is being just as careful about the virus as we are here in Oregon -- masks everywhere, etc... I don't see large groups of people meeting any time soon.
Click to expand...
At the last state board meeting the feeling of the board was positive concerning the last ARBO decision. I would think they have to meet again to make this stand for the rest of the year but I feel they will continue to follow ARBOs lead
 
Steve Silberberg said:
At the last state board meeting the feeling of the board was positive concerning the last ARBO decision. I would think they have to meet again to make this stand for the rest of the year but I feel they will continue to follow ARBOs lead
Click to expand...
ODs should understand that State boards meets periodically and the rules and regulations many change based on present realities.

Each OD should check with their state board to determine how long into 2021 the internet On Line Live courses taken at CEwire2020 will be accepted for credit into 2021.

If they are extending for up to a few months it pays to sign up for CEwire2020, if not already done so.
 
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