New This Week
Larry Wan, OD, of Family Eyecare Center in Campbell, Calif., recommends joining or forming a study group with other optometrists who are interested in thinking outside the box to find ways to improve their practices. A good group provides a casual environment for colleagues to discuss common problems, share winning strategies and interact socially. Ask companies both inside and outside the optical field to make presentations or provide funding. >>READ MORE>>
Office Environment
Appealing Office Spaces: Feature Art by Local Artists
By Brian Chou, OD, FAAO
Exhibiting the work of local artists can forge ties to your community–and signal to patients that your eyewear offerings are creative and unique, as well. >>READ MORE>>
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Coding & Billing
Don’t Give Up: How to Retrieve Payment for Denied Claims
By Eric Botts, OD
When claims are denied, apply an effective strategy to retrieve payments. You don’t have to immediately consider the reimbursement a loss. Here’s the how-to. >>READ MORE>>
Digital Strategy
Dominate the Listings When Patients Google You
By ROB Editors
Many practices strike out on web searches. You can hit a home run with your web presence with two key tools: search engine optimization and social media optimization.
>>READ MORE>>
ROB Fast Fact
What Is Most Important to Your Patients in Communication About Eyewear?
Patients most value courtesy, a thorough review of their options and help understanding out-of-pocket expenses when in the dispensary, according to Jobson Optical Research’s and focalCenter’s Key Drivers of the Patient Experience report. In addition, patients value a highly knowledgeable optical staff that understands and can help patients work through cost concerns.
Click HERE to read more from Review of Optometric Business professional editors Carole Burns, OD, FCOVD, and Mark Wright, OD, FCOVD, on exceeding patient expectations in the optical dispensary.
In Brief
EyeMed Plans Business Model Pilot with Essilor This Year
After reporting 11 percent member growth for 2012 and boosting its total membership to more than 33 million funded lives for the year, EyeMed Vision Care, part of the Luxottica Group S.p.A., announced plans to enhance its business model in 2013 with a new pilot/test program in partnership with Essilor Laboratories of America (ELOA) “to provide additional benefits to its providers and members.” >>READ MORE>>
VISTAKON Introduces 24-Pack of ACUVUE OASYS CLs with HYDRACLEAR Plus
VISTAKON Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., has launched ACUVUE OASYS Brand Contact Lenses with
HYDRACLEAR Plus Technology 24-pack. “New data has shown that wearers with more contact lenses on hand had a significantly better wearing experience and were more likely to recommend their eyecare practitioner to friends and family,” notes Cristina Schnider, OD, senior director, Professional Communications, VISTAKON, and co-author of a study that looked at various behaviors of contact lens patients in the United States. >>READ MORE>>
ROB Poll Results
Staffing Changes Top List of Readers’ Planned 2013 Practice Improvements
Asked what they will do differently in 2013 compared to 2012, 44 percent of ROB readers cite planned staffing changes including adding new staff and eliminating poor performers. Thirty-three percent say they will make greater use of instrumentation already invested in and 22 percent say they will update their frame board.
