An old subject

[varmint]

Is anyone familiar with the Spectera(United Health group) insurance plan? they have been soliciting us as the said they are expanding into Az. from what I read posted here a couple years ago, it seems different than what they are offering us. They want to pay us a dispensing fee while they make the eyewear, and if Pt's upgrade they have an upcharge we collect then they want to bill us monthly for those fees collected. Should I run from this one?

[Stopper]

Run. and keep running. Don't look back.

[varmint]

Who are these people? I've been solicited now by Coordinated Vision Care and Spectera and both are listed as a United Healthcare Company. Both appear to be similar plans.
Stopper, can you elaborate on your suggestion or email me with your experience with these plans? Summertime gets pretty dead for business here, so everything starts to get tempting.
jim:hammer:

[aaron]

Varmint,

We took this insurance at an office I managed in Las Vegas. It was a nightmare to deal with and I would not recommend it. The only way it would be worth your time is if they happen to be the vision care provider for a huge company near you. They send you a box full of 2 dollar frames that are "covered".

But then again, I have never owned my own optical, if there is no sign up fee it can't really hurt you right? But for the practice I ran in Vegas it wasn't really worth our time.

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[varmint]

This plan claims to have coverage for several very large employers in my immeadiate area, such as Home Depot, Bank of America, & Williams Gateway Airport to name a few. Thats the only reason I've taken the time to read the plan, but as usual the payment schedule isn't real clear, and that makes me skeptical. What kinds of nightmares did it create? Why was it so difficult to deal with? It appears to me to work much like a safety program, where they make & provide the glasses & pay us a fixed dispensing fee.

[LENNY]

It all depends how you look at it!

Is it good for you to get a nice check in the end of the month and not spend a penny for frames and lenses?
The only expenses that you have is Doc and your time. If you have these avialable(doc and you) go for it. If you need to change something in order to take this coverage run away.
The payment structure is complicated.Most of the plans pay $50 for an eyeexam (less whatever copayments are).
Plus the dispensing fee.The frames that they send you are Ok.Range from $2 to $15. It is hard to upgrade them because you get verrrrry litle if you do from Spectera. So basicaly if you upgrade them you have to just discount your prices and then you have to ship them your frame in order for them to put the lenses in and for you to get paid.
Sometimes When they upgrade and spend money in mmy plase i just put my SV lenses in (it is cheaper then to mail to them).

[Johns]

Stopepr is right! Keep running !!

[Stopper]

You will spend more time explaining how the insurance works than you will helping the patient. They get a little brochure saying everything is covered just pay your copay. Well it ain't that simple and there are numerous plans. It's not the patients fault, the company doesn't do a great job of explaining it. YOu will spend a lot of time for a little reimbusment. Not worth it.

[spazz]

run away. fast. :eek:

[varmint]

I guess you guys are right. Yesterday they called again & I told them I've not heard any positive feedback on them & I asked them for references from some of their providers, and guess what, they won't give any. They just got silent on the phone & said they would call me back in a week or so to see what I think!

[aaron]

That is just a taste...

The phrase that comes to mind in NEEDLESSLY COMPLICATED!!


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[paw]

Seems to me that it is kind of aggressive on their part to be calling you back. Could it be a sign of desperation on their part?!?