| Issue 2 | June 28, 2013 |
In this issue:
Contact Vision Source at 888-558-2020 or [email protected]
Top Story
Your View on the Managed Care Landscape
Vision Source® recently completed a member survey about the rapidly changing managed care landscape. Vision Source President and COO Jim Greenwood shares some of the key findings.
The response to the survey was overwhelming. To begin with, more than 60 percent of the individuals who received the survey responded, with all 50 states being represented and with significant concentrations in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin just to name a few. The survey results revealed that 8-out-of-10 Vision Source members expressed an interest in, or agreed strongly with, the following key initiatives: outsource activities such as provider credentialing and contract administration, join forces with professional colleagues to form a managed care services organization and effectively compete in the evolving managed care arena by adding more access points and expanding a branded footprint.
- Vision Source members strongly agree that they would like to outsource provider credentialing and contract administration activities to an organization that would serve as a strategic partner. The average score on a 0-10 scale was 8.3.
- Vision Source members would be willing to join forces with professional colleagues to help form a managed care services organization, even one that requires a modest, annual investment for participating doctors. The average score was 7.75.
- Vision Source members strongly agree, with an average score of 8.01, that it is important for Vision Source to grow to add more access points and expand a branded footprint.
Stay tuned for information pertaining to a new fee-based service that Vision Source is going to design and deploy later this year. Greenwood says, "It is imperative that we develop relationships with emerging healthcare delivery organizations as the rules of the game are re-written. Clearly, the services we will offer will not be needed by all Vision Source members, and, as such, they will not be designed as a one-size-fits-all solution."
Breaking News
Health Care Expert Joins Vision Source Board of Directors
Neil Godbey, president and CEO of The Godbey Group and chairman and CEO of Advanced Plan for Health, two health care advisory and consulting companies, has joined the Vision Source Board of Directors. “We are very proud to have Neil join our board and serving as a guide in connection with a changing healthcare delivery and funding landscape resulting from the Affordable Care Act and health care reform,” says Vision Source President and COO Jim Greenwood. Godbey says, "I have been impressed by the organization's strong emphasis on clinical excellence and innovative approach to the rapidly evolving health care environment."
Project SpringBoard Kicks Off
Vision Source has been promoting Project SpringBoard for several months and is ready to start this innovative practice-building program in some of its member practices. Many have signed up through their Administrators or at The Exchange to increase practice success in the following areas:
| AMD | CONTACT LENS | OPTICAL |
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| FINANCE | STAFF PERFORMANCE |
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The first group of Contact Lens and Optical SpringBoard programs starts in July. Details of these programs can be found at springboard.visionsource.com.
- Email registration/confirmation will be sent to members who have expressed interest during the week of July 1.
- Review and confirm your participation upon receipt as the first offices to respond will be given priority.
- If you do not receive email registration/confirmation by July 3, contact your Member Services Representative.
- The SpringBoard website will be updated with videos and answers to frequently asked questions.
Words from our Sponsors
In this section, you will find the latest offers and promotions from Vision Source vendors.
Are Your Patients Looking for OPTIFREE GP?
Menicon reminds Vision Source doctors that patients who are looking for the OPTIFREE GP brand have an option. Menicon purchased the Unique pH brand and licensed the formula from Alcon in 2010. Menicon's Unique pH is the identical formula, available on the WebStore, a virtual retailing model for Vision Source members. Menicon solutions are not available on the shelf at retail. Vision Source members must sign up at info.meniconamerica.com/vs to receive Vision Source benefits. It's free; just look for the Sign Up Now button. Read more here.
Quantel Introduces New Compact Touch 50 MHz UBM; Purchases Result in Donation
Quantel Medical USA is donating $200.00 to the Vision Source Foundation for any Compact Touch Ultrasound BioMicroscope (UBM) or AVISO UBM sold to a Vision Source member in June, July and August. The Compact Touch has a computer built-in with touch screen, EMR capability and advanced post processing tools and weighs only 9.4 pounds, so it can easily be moved to different practice locations. Visit the vendor book to learn about special Vision Source pricing and Quantel's on-site installation and training.
Vision Source Senior VP, Vendor Relations, John McCall, OD, says, "I have been utilizing the Quantel High Resolution Ultrasound Bio-microscope in my practice for several years. It gives the doctor a beautiful image of the anterior chamber and the ciliary body, which has proved to be invaluable in my assessment for glaucoma and for phako-morphic glaucoma suspects. The reimbursement is the highest ROI of any instrument I use." Contact Michael Keane at [email protected] or Kenneth Dickerson at [email protected] or 434-944-4494 for more information.
Santinelli Shares the Wealth in Exclusive Vision Source Offer
Refer a Vision Source colleague who purchases a new Santinelli International Lens Edger, and Santinelli could thank you with $500 in Santi Bucks, which can be used to purchase Santinelli products, supplies or an equipment protection plan. Submit your qualified referrals by clicking here before the Sept. 30 deadline. Santinelli has made this program available exclusively to Vision Source. For more information, contact Adrienne Lauro at 800-644-3343, ext. 327.
Dry Eye Syndrome Treatment Market to Grow Rapidly
Because of a strong response, TearScience® is extending its promotional pricing offered at The Exchange. TearScience offers a turnkey solution for identifying and treating the leading cause of dry eye.
"I am very pleased to see that VisionSource eye care professionals are embracing leading edge technology to address the needs of their dry eye patients,” says Wade Hampton, TearScience's chief commercial officer. Not only is TearScience’s technology emerging as the new standard of care, it also offers the VisionSource eye care professional an additional revenue stream while demonstrating unparalleled patient care." Contact your local TearScience representative to take advantage of this exclusive offer, available through July 31.
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| LipiView Ocular Surface Interferometer | LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System |
Around Vision Source
Practice Development
The Great Game of Business Puts Fun into Profitability
Vision Source Vice President, Practice Development, Walt West, OD, is presenting two Vision Source education programs this year: the all-new 2013 Vision Source Experience program (vse4you.com) and the Great Metrics Challenge, featuring the Great Game of Business, which engages doctors and staff to employ game-like strategies to open-book management and practice growth. Dr. West spoke with Laura Woody, assistant office manager at Vision Source Brentwood (Tenn.), about the game, and you can watch the entire interview and the video at greatmetricschallenge.com.
Woody uses a large whiteboard in the staff break room that shows key monthly metrics divided into the categories of sales, cost of goods sold and general office expenses. Staff members must update the numbers that they’re tracking at least weekly and calculate new projections based on the progress. In the first quarter alone, the practice had a 7 percent increase, which was divided and paid to the staff members in addition to their base salary. It’s also much easier for the doctors and office administrators to track what’s going on. The numbers are all on the board and updated regularly.
Business Development
Power In Pennies Benefits Vision Source Foundation
Power In Pennies, a program offered by Professional Merchants, Inc., offers Vision Source members a convenient option to support the foundation and their fellow Vision Source optometrists that have experienced a tragic event in their practice and/or personal lives. Visit pmi4vs.com (login: [email protected] / password: 999999) for more details and sign-up information. For questions, comments, support letters and/or other donation options concerning the Vision Source Foundation, contact Wendy L. Pafford at 281-318-7827 or [email protected].
Member Services
VSR Facilitator Meeting
This year’s training session for the VSR program's Facilitators will provide them with the resources to offer your staff and VSRs the best local programs possible. Please note that this program is for Facilitators, not VSRs.
Marketing
The Gold Standard Book Will Guide Office Discussion
Family Eye Care Associates has three locations in Michigan, five doctors and 25 staff members, so there’s a distinct need to come together to communicate what’s important. With the introduction of The Gold Standard book, Donna Harville, CPOA, office administrator, says that will be a little easier.
Each month, there’s a 90-minute or so staff meeting early in the day in one of the two larger offices. At the next meeting, Harville plans to distribute The Gold Standard booklets to all staff, making it the key focus for the meeting—after the usual announcements. "We’ll be using it to help remind existing staff about our expectations for patient care, and it can bring the new staff up to speed on the patient experience we want to provide," she says.
Encourage New Patients
Planning a special offer or promotion to entice existing patients or draw in new ones? Vision Source has made it easy for you to create professionally designed coupon/rebate tear sheets to get the word out about your promotion. Customize them with your practice name and 150 characters announcing your special offer. Visit FedEx Kinko's/FedEx Office at psg.kinkos.com/visionsource (Place a Print Order, Order Marketing Materials) or Office Depot at visionsource.myp3portal.com (Create an Account) to get started.
The Vision Source Brand
Fully Branded
Sam Cooke, OD, in Batesville, Ark., currently holds the record for the most fully branded practice, with a record five Vision Source logos on his office exterior.
Supporting the Brand
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| Dr. Scott Lewis, OD, and staff at the ribbon cutting for his new office | Dr. Lewis' office in Murrieta, Calif. |
Alderwood Vision Source in Lynnwood, Wash.
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