New This Week
Technology Update from the VM Global Leadership Summit
Mark Wright, OD, FCOVD, ROB Professional Editor, reports on novel marketing approaches–and advances in electronic eyewear–presented at the premier conference on optical industry trends. “We need to embrace new developments so that we’re moving our practices forward instead of staying where we are,” he advises. >>READ MORE >>
Coding & Billing
ICD-10: Get Ready to Update Coding
By Maria Sampalis, OD
The new ICD-10 codes now take effect October 2015. Train your staff (and yourself) with this primer and resource guide on new codes for common eye conditions. >>READ MORE>>
Contact Lens Profitability
Price CLs for Profitability
By Michael J. Zucker, OD
If you don’t update your CL pricing regularly, you’re leaving money on the table. Compare your pricing with market prices with resources like the ABB OPTICAL GROUP Price Monitor and ABB OPTICAL GROUP Business Review.
>>READ MORE>>
Digital Strategy
Patient Video Testimonials: Give Patients Something (Positive) to Talk About
By Steve Vargo, OD, MBA
Viewers find candid video testimonials helpful and credible. Let prospective patients hear about your practice from enthusiastic patients.
>>READ MORE>>
ADVERTORIAL
PIO 2014: Thriving in the New Healthcare Environment
Big changes are on the way as a result of the Affordable Care Act. ODs may have a greater influx of patients than they have so far experienced, and many will want to join accountable care organizations.
With so much at stake, Primary Eyecare Network’s (PEN) 10th annual conference, PIO 2014, will pass along strategies for thriving in the new healthcare environment. To be held May 17-18 in Monterey, Calif., the conference will offer independent ODs a chance to plan ahead for the major changes that will affect them in the near future.
>>READ MORE>>
ROB Fast Fact
How Much Are You Paying Your Optician?
It seems many of you reward opticians with longevity in your practice, findings from Jobson Optical Research’s and Local Eye Site’s 2013 ECP Compensation Study suggest. Opticians/dispensers with more than 10 years in the position reported an average compensation of $48,443. The reported averages for less than 5 years and 5 to 10 years were $39,627 and $45,838 respectively.
Click HERE to read more from Review of Optometric Business professional editors Carole Burns, OD, FCOVD, and Mark Wright, OD, FCOVD, on calculating fair employee salaries that don’t hinder practice profitability.
In Brief
Vision Source and Baptist Health Quality Network Form Partnership
Vision Source announced that its South Florida area members are joining with Baptist Health Quality Network (BHQN), a physician-led network of healthcare providers working together to improve the health of patients within the greater South Florida metropolitan areas including Broward, Monroe and Miami-Dade Counties.
>>READ MORE>>
Essilor Digital Single-Vision Lenses: Extended Material Options
Essilor of America announced that it is offering extended material options for Essilor 360°, Essilor FIT, Essilor Azio and Essilor Eyecode Digital Single Vision lenses. In addition to previously offered material options, Essilor Digital Single Vision lenses are now available in TREXA Clear and Transitions SignatureVII, Airwear Polycarbonate Transitions Vantage and Airwear Polycarbonate Transitions XTRActive.
Challenge –> Solution
-
Practice Challenge…
What new instrumentation should I invest in?Adding new instrumentation to your practice is a big decision. You must consider your patients’ needs, but also your ability to break even, and then profit, from the investment. Here is how some of our contributors have handled this challenge.
…Practice Solution
- Corneal Topographer: Elevate Care and Profits
- Updated Refraction Instrumentation: Take Exam Experience to Next Level
- Instrumentation: A Major Expense–But a Practice Builder
Recent Articles of Note
-
Getting There: Planning a Successful Optometric Career
By Robert Schultz -
Be Positive, and Always Thank Your Patient
An Optometric Minute video with Eric M. White, OD -
Capture Rate Booster: Train Staff to Fill Patient Prescriptions
By Stuart J. Thomas, OD, and Ellen Byrum-Goad, LDO
