From time to time I hear from students and practicing optometrists that they’re concerned for the future of the profession. From their perspective, the future is uncertain. Today’s students are investing a significant amount of money in their education. Many of them desire to enter private practice but feel that they can’t follow their desire […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
It had to happen somewhere and Utah makes sense. For over two decades, I’ve predicted that one day, an eye exam would be dispensed like so much gum…from a vending machine. Technology is sometimes cruel and forces are at work to bring such a possibility to reality. Consider: a) Auto-Refracting Technology is pretty darn accurate. […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
This Thanksgiving, as we consider all of the wonderful people and experiences in our lives; as we sit around our dinner table and enjoy all the abundance for which we’ve worked so hard; and as we consider the less fortunate; I ask you to step back and take stock. And I ask you to consider […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
In the November 6th issue of the Wall Street Journal, an article deep in the bowels of the newspaper caught my attention. “Humana Brings Doctors In-House” revealed Humana’s move into providing not health insurance…but direct patient care. Indeed, Humana is expected to bring over 2600 physicians under its umbrella. This hybrid model is clearly on […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
As I have communicated to my audiences over the past couple of years, it is my strong belief that Private Optometry is at a crossroads. It’s no longer business as usual. Those who take bold action to build their respective brands and effectively communicate directly with their patients will be imminently successful. Those that sit back […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
In a recent announcement, MetLife has said it is moving forward with a new vision plan product. As you read this, note that their PR release talks about the value of vision plans to employers and employees; but what’s missing is the value of such plans to the providers without whom the plan cannot exist. […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Back in the day, Vision Plan was developed as a methodology for selling the services of its owner, the profession of optometry. Vision Plan acted as optometry’s agent; effectively owned and controlled by the profession itself. Vision Plan represented an efficient institutional marketing effort; a sophisticated marketing tool utilized by otherwise unsophisticated marketers. Reimbursements were reasonable and […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
I have often commented that most vision plan’s contractual requirement that providers extend a discount for all services, regardless of coverage, is both patently unfair and a brand-destroyer. Well, apparently our friends in dentistry have seen the light. Dentistry appears to have their act together on this issue and optometry can take a lesson from their […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Over the past few years, I’ve traveled throughout North America presenting a workshop entitled “Secrets of High Performing Practices” at our Business of Eyecare Forum programs. At the beginning of this workshop that explores the strategies behind success, I pull out a $100 bill and ask my audience; “who wants this?” Invariably, I get a […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Over the past week, VSP and the AOA have taken their differences over inclusion in Obamacare out of the conference room and into to the boxing ring. The public action appears to have started when former VSP Chairman, Daniel Mannen, wrote in VSP’s newsletter describing how VSP is optometry’s salvation…to paraphrase, “without VSP and Vision Plans…you’d be […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
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