New This Week
Developing a Skills Set for Tomorrow’s OD
David A. Heath, OD, EdM, president of SUNY College of Optometry, describes the school’s new program to offer an advanced graduate certificate in optometry business management. The certificate, in which SUNY partners with Empire State College, provides OD graduates with a basic understanding of business principles–and advances them a third of the way toward a full MBA degree. Dr. Heath believes that having business training, as a complement to an optometric education, equips ODs to be decision leaders poised at the top of the pyramid in managing the delivery of health care in the near future. Part 2 in a series. >>READ MORE >>
Staff Management
How Engaged is Your Staff with Practice Goals?
By Thomas F. Steiner
A major Gallup study of the American workforce demonstrates that staff “engagement” is key to productivity and profitability. How engaged is your staff? Here’s how to measure it. >>READ MORE>>
Diagnostic Instrumentation
Instrumentation: A Major Expense–But a Practice Builder
By Monica Allison, OD
Investing in diagnostic instrumentation is a major practice expense–but an essential business builder. Plan well and finance smartly to maximize ROI and maintain cash flow.
>>READ MORE>>
Practice Management
Advice for New and Experienced ODs: Understand Essential Business Concepts
By Gerald A. Eisenstatt, OD, MBA
Do you understand and apply essential business concepts in managing your practice? Whether you are a new OD grad or veteran OD, here’s what to know and how to retool.
>>READ MORE>>
ROB Fast Fact
Do Refractive Surgery/LASIK Patients Still Need Vision Correction?
You have an opportunity to provide ongoing vision care and products to post-refractive surgery patients, according to findings from The Vision Council’s 2013 Eyewear Habits of Refractive Surgery/LASIK patients. In 2013, just under half of all refractive surgery/LASIK patients (6.5 million people) currently use some form of vision correction (vs. 76 percent of the total adult population in the US). Patients who recently had surgery were less likely to use some form of vision correction when compared to those who had their surgery procedure more than five years ago.
Click HERE to read more from Review of Optometric Business professional editors Carole Burns, OD, FCOVD, and Mark Wright, OD, FCOVD, on providing ongoing care and products for post-refractive surgery patients.
In Brief
ABB OPTICAL GROUP Sponsors Compliance Boot Camp at VEW
ABB OPTICAL GROUP is a sponsor of Primary Eyecare Network’s (PEN) upcoming event “Compliance Boot Camp,” which will be facilitated by John A. McGrea, OD, and the president of CS EYE Billing Partner. The seminar will be held during International Vision Expo West in Las Vegas, Nev., at the Wynn Hotel on Thursday, October 3, from 1-5 pm. This is an opportunity for practices to establish a compliance program during their attendance at VEW. >>READ MORE>>
Healthcare Reform: One-Year Delay of “Employer Mandate”
The employer mandate, which was supposed to go into effect on January 1, 2014, has been delayed until 2015. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, this legislation mandates individual businesses to offer insurance. Starting in 2015, employers that employ an average of 50 full-time employees must provide health coverage that meets minimum coverage requirements or pay a fine. The Vision Council has put together a primer to prepare you for these changes.
>>READ MORE>>
Challenge –> Solution
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Practice Challenge…
How Can I Profit with Co-Management?In this fast-evolving healthcare field, ODs have major opportunities to provide services in conjunction with MDs–and to be efficient and cost-effective in doing so. Here are three strategies from ROB contributors who are making co-management a profitable endeavor.
…Practice Solution
- Retain Boomers by Providing Pre- and Post-Op Cataract Care
- Work with MDs to Treat Ocular Conditions with Specialty CLs
- Post-LASIK Education: Let Patients Know They Still Need You
Recent Articles of Note
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By Robert Schultz
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In-House Lens Fabrication: Compete Successfully with Large Optical Retailers
By Gordon G. Wong, OD -
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
