What We Heard at AAO 2026: The Questions Ophthalmology Practices Kept Asking

Three days, one very loud expo hall, and more conversations about modifier 25 than any of us expected. ADS and Moyae just wrapped our first AAO together in New Orleans, and before the notes go cold, here is what ophthalmology practices were actually asking about.

[Insert one or two sentences with a real detail from the show: a session you attended, a number of conversations, something a practice administrator said. This paragraph is what makes the post read like a person was there.]

The three questions we heard most

1. "How bad are the 2027 cuts going to be for us, really?"

This was the first question at most of our conversations, usually before the person had finished reading the booth sign. The honest answer: the proposed rule points to a 3% to 4% drop in ophthalmology allowed charges, roughly 4% off cataract surgery, and a 50% reduction on the lower-priced same-day E/M with a procedure. The final rule is expected in early November. 

What surprised us was how many practices had not modeled it against their own volume yet. We ran that math at the booth for [number] practices. Most were looking at a five-figure number they had not budgeted for.

2. "Does the AI actually do anything, or is it on the banner?"

Dr. Wachter's keynote set the tone, and attendees came to the expo floor skeptical in a healthy way. The practices that asked the best questions wanted to see AI doing work: predicting a denial before submission, catching a missing dilation requirement, capturing documentation during the encounter. That is exactly where we want the conversation to be. 

3. "Can I keep my billing in-house, or do I have to outsource?"

More practices than we expected wanted the tools without the outsourcing, especially groups with a strong billing manager they trust. The answer with ADS is either. MedicsPremier gives an in-house team the same automation ADSRCM uses: eligibility at scheduling, automated prior auth, denial alerts, patient responsibility estimates, and KPI dashboards. When a practice is ready to hand it off, ADSRCM is there with a 90-day revenue guarantee. Nobody has to choose on day one.

What to do in the next 60 days

1. Model the cuts against your own volume. Cataract first, then your top ten procedures, then same-day E/M with modifier 25. If you want us to run it, send us the volume.
2. Audit modifier 25 documentation now. A 50% reduction is bad. A denial is worse.
3. Collect patient balances before deductibles reset. Estimator at scheduling, text reminders with payment links, MedicsPortal for online payment.
4. Pick a dashboard and look at it weekly. Days in AR, clean claim rate, net collection rate, denials by payer and procedure.
5. Book the follow-up you meant to book at the booth. We know how the last day of a conference goes.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by Booth 2764. If we spoke and you have not heard from us yet, you will this week. If we did not get the chance, the door is open.

📌 Schedule your post-AAO follow-up

Bring your procedure volume and AR aging. We will show you the 2027 impact and where the recovery is. ADS and Moyae.

Frequently asked questions

What were the main topics at AAO 2026?

AAO 2026 in New Orleans centered on subspecialty clinical updates, AI in ophthalmology and healthcare (including Robert Wachter's keynote), and cataract practice in the Spotlight on Cataract session. On the business side, the proposed 2027 Medicare cuts dominated expo floor conversations.

What are the proposed 2027 Medicare cuts for ophthalmology?

An estimated 3% to 4% overall reduction in ophthalmology allowed charges, roughly 4% off cataract surgery (CPT 66984), a 3.3% ASC reduction, and a 50% cut to the lower-priced same-day E/M billed with a procedure by the same group. The final rule is expected in early November.

How can ADS help an ophthalmology practice prepare for 2027?

ADSRCM provides outsourced ophthalmology billing with a guaranteed revenue increase within 90 days. MedicsPremier gives in-house billing teams the same automation. Both integrate with the Moyae EMR. See the ADS ophthalmology page.