Eyemed to require Essilor labs to be used?

**Perry** · 03-06-2013, 10:09 AM

This topic has been frequently been mentioned by vendor reps visiting my office. Anyone here
on the board have any info. I'm wondering if this is implemented if Eyemed/Luxottica will exempt
their retail stores from the requirement since Lenscrafters stores have their own surface/finish labs.

**opie** · 03-06-2013, 01:09 PM

A few weeks ago, I was told that Eyemed started with 75-100 ECP's in the US who where already doing all their lab work with an Essilor Base Lab (formally known as ELOA labs). The plan was by the end of the year ECP's would have to send their eyemed jobs to one of the base labs and could no longer do their own edging or choose their own lab. I also heard they would make some exceptions for the larger Essilor Partner labs. If your lab does under 300 jobs per day, they would not be permitted to do the eyemed jobs. Just what I was told. Interesting point on the LC situation.

**LENNY** · 03-06-2013, 01:42 PM

Are there Essilor Labs that do less then 300 jobs a day!?!?!?!?

**mervinek** · 03-06-2013, 02:38 PM

Is there any way out of this???? Our Essilor lab is horrible and we don't get good quality.

**Judy Canty** · 03-06-2013, 04:16 PM

http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...lor#post451853

**jakesd** · 03-07-2013, 05:44 PM

I find it interesting how Eyemed can guarantee a better quality from a big lab, than I can do myself. I care about the quality of my work, big labs have employees that are punching a time clock...

**Jacqui** · 03-07-2013, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by jakesd

I find it interesting how Eyemed can guarantee a better quality from a big lab, than I can do myself. I care about the quality of my work, big labs have employees that are punching a time clock...

Small independent labs care a lot about quality too

**jakesd** · 03-07-2013, 06:23 PM

Of course, I fully agree

**mervinek** · 03-07-2013, 10:28 PM

Give me a small independent lab any day!

**blindboy** · 03-12-2013, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by LENNY

Are there Essilor Labs that do less then 300 jobs a day!?!?!?!?

Yes, there are.

**Johns** · 03-12-2013, 08:34 PM

Oh well...looks like Eyemed pts. will have to wait for their jobs like VSP patients do.

**sharpstick777** · 03-14-2013, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Johns

Oh well...looks like Eyemed pts. will have to wait for their jobs like VSP patients do.

Why these big corporations follow each other into a pit, always amazes me.

**blindboy** · 03-14-2013, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by sharpstick777

Why these big corporations follow each other into a pit, always amazes me.

Which pit, out of curiousity?

**9520g** · 03-15-2013, 11:12 AM

Its a pit for us as providers. But its a huge advantage to them (eyemed) as they will get deep discounts from esslior labs and they will make more profit then with their current business model, I wont like when the new change happens but unfortunately in our office we need eyemed and vsp to bring us new patients.

**blindboy** · 03-15-2013, 11:30 AM

removed by blindboy

**nicksims** · 03-15-2013, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by blindboy

Which pit, out of curiousity?

The Pit of Despair.

"Don't even think about trying to escape."

**blindboy** · 03-15-2013, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by nicksims

The Pit of Despair.

"Don't even think about trying to escape."

HA! Don't Dream of being rescued either! Love it. One of my favorite movies...well played.

**drk** · 03-15-2013, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by 9520g

Its a pit for us as providers. But its a huge advantage to them (eyemed) as they will get deep discounts from esslior labs and they will make more profit then with their current business model, I wont like when the new change happens but unfortunately in our office we need eyemed and vsp to bring us new patients.

Actually, with EyeMed, you pay the lab and EyeMed pays you. It's not saving EyeMed any money. It's just Luxottica's happy alliance with Essilor. They're between the sheets.

Now, maybe, Essilor scratches Lenscrafters' and Pearles' back for this "cosa nostra" kind of behavior on the lens supply end of things.

**kdavenport** · 03-22-2013, 06:43 AM

I spoke with the Eyemed at Vision Expo. We will be allowed to edge SV in house with all progressives edged at the lab. Definitely Essilor dominate on the labs. If you want non Essilor product like Hoya or Zeiss you'll have to use a Luxottia Lab out of Texas. It seems Zeiss was late to the table.

**Barry Santini** · 03-22-2013, 07:39 AM

I know this is a rebel viewpoint, but what about the idea that the intrinsic skills, expertise and value than an individual ECP office brings to the table might just be a decent hand to hold in this game of eyeglass/vision insurance nonsense.
In my area, MD's are charging $40 office visit copays and between $50-$90 refraction (!) copays. That's a minimum of $90 out of pocket for a full exam for insurance holders. Like Johns, we're having no problem getting $65 for a refraction by a good OD, and $135 for a full exam w/o insurance.

Go figure.

B

**Mick** · 03-22-2013, 08:11 AM

Yesterday, I was told that eyemed would pay the lab, and a pittance paid to the dispenser for their work.

**optical24/7** · 03-22-2013, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by Barry Santini

I know this is a rebel viewpoint, but what about the idea that the intrinsic skills, expertise and value than an individual ECP office brings to the table might just be a decent hand to hold in this game of eyeglass/vision insurance nonsense.
In my area, MD's are charging $40 office visit copays and between $50-$90 refraction (!) copays. That's a minimum of $90 out of pocket for a full exam for insurance holders. Like Johns, we're having no problem getting $65 for a refraction by a good OD, and $135 for a full exam w/o insurance.

Go figure.

B

We convince patients on a daily basis to drop their vision plan. I tell them to use their health insurance to help pay for the exam, which down here is usually a 20 buck co-pay. The MD's I refer to either charge 35 for the refraction part and I have one that does not collect any refraction fee! We then offer discounts on frame and lenses and ask them to compare simular products at a location that does accept their vision plan. They quickly figure out that they are not saving much going to a *plan* location and are many times disappointed with the products and services at those locations. YMMV, but it works for us.