| Issue 3 | July 12, 2013 |
In this issue:
Contact Vision Source at 888-558-2020 or [email protected]
Top Story
ACA Delays
In news from Washington last week, implementation of an important aspect of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been delayed until 2015. The complex reporting and penalty provisions of the ACA for employers of more than 50 employees were postponed for one year. Although this change was unexpected, it in no way affects the direction and focus of Vision Source® and its executive leadership team as the health care landscape continues to change.
"The recent postponement of the large employer requirement doesn’t impact the focus of our organization as we continue to concentrate on becoming part of solutions that improve patient outcomes and reduce health care costs while elevating optometry's role in evolving delivery systems," says President and COO Jim Greenwood. "Affordable care organizations (ACOs) are continuing to form health care networks and we, in turn, will continue to create opportunities for our members to participate in these networks," he adds. "In addition to placing a strong emphasis on creating collaborative care systems for senior and diabetic patients, Vision Source® is also focused on delivering the message that optometry is far more than a retail experience and is instead a vital part of a primary care solution for population health management."
This delay from the White House is indicative of the complexity of the ACA, but it does not alter the ultimate result. The changing environment represents an opportunity for large groups of clinicians who can deliver high-quality, low-cost outcomes.
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Breaking News
Project SpringBoard
Project SpringBoard, the innovative practice-building program for Vision Source® member practices, is ready to launch. Vision Source® Vice President of Practice Development, Walt West, OD will be hosting two webinars next week to provide information on the launch dates and enrollment information for each of the Project SpringBoard areas: AMD, Contact Lens, Optical, Finance and Staff Performance.
Select a link below to register for one of the webinars.
Monday, July 15 7:00 PM CST or Thursday, July 18 8:00 PM CST
For more information, visit springboard.visionsource.com.
Maryland Optometric Association-Sponsored Bill Signed into Law
Here's an update from the Maryland Optometric Association on its legislative successes.
Rebates on the Way
In June, rebates from Silhouette for 2012 and Alcon for Q1 2013 arrived at the Vision Source® home office. These rebates were distributed to members on July 11. Vendors provide Vision Source® with the amount of the rebate for each member. If you have questions regarding the amount of the rebate, please direct these questions to your vendor representative. Other questions may be directed to Sonya Reed ([email protected]) or Angela Reamy ([email protected]).
Remember that rebate checks are issued on the 10th of each month (or the following business day), and all rebates will be consolidated in one check. For any held rebates (e.g., due to delinquent accounts), release of held rebates (when appropriate) will take place within this same schedule.
Get Calculating
Vision Source® wants to bring your attention to three practical and easy-to-use calculators to help you understand the impact of the Affordable Care Act on your business.
- Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon created this handy chart to determine the ACA Effect On Small Employers.
- Use the Fulltime Employee Calculator from the Health Law Guide for Business. To qualify as a small business, you need to have fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees. Even if you have more than 25 employees—but some of them are part-time—you may still qualify as a small business.
- The Health Law Guide for Business also provides this Tax Credit Calculator. The calculator provides a guideline to see whether your business might qualify for a credit.
These calculators provide preliminary estimates and do not constitute tax advice.
Congratulations to New AOA Leadership
Two Vision Source® members were sworn into the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) 2013-2014 Board of Trustees during Optometry’s Meeting and the 116th Congress of the American Optometric Association in San Diego.
Mitchell T. Munson, OD, FAAO, of Highlands Ranch, Colo., became the 92nd president of the AOA. Dr. Munson has served on the AOA’s Board of Trustees since 2006 and has previously held the positions of Secretary Treasurer, Vice President and President-elect, among many other positions. "It has been a pleasure serving our profession as a member of the AOA Board of Trustees, and I am honored to assume the position of president for the upcoming year," he says. "We have a stout agenda before us and are fortunate to have a board that is both prepared and qualified for the work ahead. I am looking forward to an exciting year. Part of that work is to continue to prepare our members and their staff for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Thanks to the many resources available to our Vision Source® ECPs and their paraoptometrics, we anticipate that they will become more efficient, more productive and ultimately more successful in this new era of health care reform."
Robert Layman, OD, of Lambertville, Mich. was elected to the AOA Board of Trustees. He currently serves on the AOA’s Membership Development Committee and in 2006, Dr. Layman was presented with the AOA Optometrist of the Year award. "I am grateful for the support of the Vision Source® family and other colleagues as I begin my AOA Board of Trustees journey. The theme of listening to members and the importance of optometric unity as we move forward, adding value to ODs and the patients they serve, will guide my decisions. Thanks for your support. I will strive to position the profession as the absolute first and best point of access to quality eye and vision care."
Words from our Sponsors
In this section, you will find the latest offers and promotions from Vision Source® vendors.
Turnkey Optical and Branded Supplies
Your Vision Source® membership gives you a 10 percent discount on all purchases from Optisource, your one-stop sourcing for all the optical supplies you need to set up a new store. In addition, you will receive a 5 percent instant rebate, for an average savings of about 30 percent over leading competitors for a new store setup. Look for the full product list on visionsource.com or visit visionsourcestore.com.
Double Rewards from Transitions
Transitions® Optical is making an exclusive offer to Vision Source® members now through September: the four top Transitions growth offices in each Vision Source region will double their rewards towards expenses for the 2014 Transitions Academy at Walt Disney World, Jan. 26-28, 2014. That means the 20 offices showing the greatest percentage growth in Transitions from June through September 2013 can double their rewards to pay for registration, room nights and even airfare for themselves, an associate or a staff member.
Transitions Academy, now in its 15th year, features top industry educators, prominent business gurus from Covey to Gallup, representatives from major lens manufacturers, managed vision care plans and laboratories from all over North and South America.
For more information on the promotion, click here.
FLOAT KIDS Back-to-School Offer
Between now and Aug. 31, Match Eyewear is offering Vision Source® an exclusive and delicious back-to-school promotion. Purchase a minimum of 12 frames from FLOAT KIDS and receive 12 lunch coolers—pink or blue.
Act Fast for Diopsys Savings
Diopsys is offering Vision Source® practices special introductory pricing on the Diopsys® NOVA Testing System. Offer expires Aug. 31. See the offer at visionsource.com.
Help with Your ICD10 Preparations
Vision Source® continues to prepare members for ICD10 with Apex EDI—via the new Vision Source®-branded electronic claims portal. Many Vision Source® providers have started using Apex EDI for a comprehensive claims solution. Additionally, Apex EDI now offers additional ICD10 services with many practice management software systems.
Be ready for ICD10 ahead of the changes by working with the right partners now. Take a look at Apex EDI, its list of integrated software partners and its special offer for Vision Source® members practices by visiting apexedi.com/visionsource.
Software Update Available for
m’eyeFit™ System
A new software release is now available for all Vision Source® m’eyeFit customers, featuring more than 50 enhancements for increased stability, quicker interface browsing and in-office coordination. See the summary document on visionsource.com for a list of the key enhancements that are featured in this latest software release.
Updating the software is simple; just follow these three steps:
- Step 1: Press the Software Notification Update Icon on the top tool bar
- Step 2: Select “Install All” from the list
- Step 3: Allow the installation process to complete and the system to reboot
For additional technical support, contact 877-457-3760.
Around Vision Source®
Member Services
New Faces
Vision Source® welcomes Dan Walker and Patrick Higuera.
Walker serves as the new VP of Strategic Initiatives for the Operations Group, where he will be responsible for negotiating and managing key vendor programs and leading strategic company initiatives. Walker brings more than 16 years of experience, from Eye Care Centers of America and more recently Luxury Optical Holdings. His non-optical experience includes executive positions at Circuit City and Konica/Fotomat.
Higuera becomes the Regional Director for the Western Region. For the past 10 years, he has been a sales consultant and district sales manager for Essilor Laboratory. He's also been a team leader for the Vision Source® Foundation, recognized for his role in Special Olympics and a technical speaker for the American Board of Opticianry.
Practice Development
Gold Standard Gospel
"I ordered extra (The Gold Standard) books to give one to each of my staff members. It is their 'bible' and it defines what we believe in and strive to be every day. I always tell them to be the difference between patients coming to see us as opposed to going across the street to Walmart. Our patients know they might pay a little extra but the quality and the services provided will be the difference.
I had each staff member highlight something in The Gold Standard book that stood out as well as to write one idea a month in his or her book to make our practice even more successful and allow us to stand out from the rest. It is a state of mind that all my staff believes in. Thanks, Vision Source®, for allowing us to have yet one more tool to differentiate us from the rest."
–Samira "Sam" Jimenez, Office Manager, Bandera Vision Source, San Antonio
Vision Source® Experience Draws Crowd
More than 150 attendees came to the Vision Source® Experience meeting in Foxboro, Mass., earlier this week. Visit vse4you.com to find a Vision Source® Experience program near you.
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Marketing
What Does Vision Source® Mean to Your Patients?
Has a patient ever asked you what Vision Source® is? Take a look at the Member poster available to order via FedEx and Office Depot. This poster explains some of the benefits patients receive because of your Vision Source affiliation: personalized attention, confidence, advanced technology and convenience. 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.
Give-away Gets Noticed
George Hertneky, OD, of Brush, Colo., is known for his community service and his uncommon practice promotions. His most recent patient reward prize was a 2008 Grand Prix, and the local newspaper took notice. Here’s the story.
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].
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