Advice, partnerships with vendors, business assistance and a marketing plan provide the optician with the tools that attract customers. Your skills with product and technique keep them. However, almost half of all exams and/or eyewear is purchased within a Managed Vision Care plan. So, emphasize Managed Vision Care as part of the total patient experience.

In Jobson surveys, more than 80% of patients polled said a vision plan is important to them, but only about half (49%) said they are covered by some type of managed vision care. Only about 6 of 10 (62%) said they were knowledgeable about vision plans. More than 20% said they participate in a flexible spending or health savings account and a third to a half used that money to pay for exams, eyewear or contact lenses. And, if your practice includes families with kids, almost 9 of 10 said that a vision plan is important. Therefore, managing Managed Vision Care is critical to every practice.

Clearly choosing the right plans requires evaluation of the practice’s goals for controlling delivery of care, service and products. Therefore, consider the following checklist:

• Unrestricted selection of frames and lenses
• Use of the latest add-ons and options that best fit patient’s needs
• Unrestricted laboratory utilization, in-office or lab supplier
• Different plan tiers for patients and employers
• Automated and online access to benefits and adjudication