Just out of curiosity, are there any Concierge Ophthalmology or Optometry practices out there. How about Independent Opticians. A number of local physicians are changing their business model to this concept as they want to regain control of the way they practice their profession.
Can you elaborate?Originally Posted by rbaker
Can you Google "concierge practice" ?
Concierge optician practice here.
B
Just did... 'concierge medicine', also known as 'retainer medicine' or 'membership medicine'. Pay say $3000.00.yr and get quicker access to doctors, chiropractors, massage therapists, etc to avoid medical lineups.
Of greater importance you might want to check out its implications for he practitioner rather than the patient.
So how does that work? Do you have a list of services that a patient pre pays for? Like, nose pad replacement for the year costs $XX? Or is it more of a pre paid warranty service for replacing lenses?
Last edited by pezfaerie; 08-27-2015 at 05:54 PM. Reason: My grammar sucks
Pez:D
Sometimes, if that helps. By that I mean I will set time aside for a patient, it is usually off hours and they receive my undivided attention. I may have a bottle of nice wine for them. I have also brought a collection of frames to their home or office when it is more convenient for the client. I will also hand deliver said product. There is also an understanding that we are fabricating several pairs of eyewear. I knew of an ABOM in the San Francisco area whose business was by appointment only and had no visible outside displays.
Last edited by Paul Smith LDO; 08-27-2015 at 07:23 PM. Reason: grammatical error
I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it. Mark Twain
Its an interesting idea. Would be nice for have total control on how the office or practice was being ran, being able to offer whatever goods, services and products you so choose without fear or being bullied by the insurance companies.
I think this is what I am getting from the meaning of being a concierge practice
Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity
Right on . . . A system where no third party comes between you and your client.
The easiest way to explain it is that my fees are all inclusive for products and related services.
B
Absolutely Dick,
It can be damn difficult to execute while your office has VCP patients and they overhear a conversation taking place between you and a patron of the arts. I would be remiss if I did not offer the same service to them but it is not often that they are willing to acquiesce beyond the one set provided through their plan. A willing convert can be hard to find but when they discover what an eyeglass wardrobe can provide them with, it is a beautiful transformation.
I also believe, as Barry pointed, that when someone purchases from me that they receive the utmost of my services however, there is such a thing as "White Glove" and that is not afforded to all.
It can be a sticky mess sometimes. Good Question Dick
I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it. Mark Twain
Sick. 3 large for quicker access to what? What a ripoff.
Question: What Is Boutique Medicine (a Concierge Doctor Practice) ?
More and more doctors are practicing concierge medicine, opening boutique practices in an effort to avoid dealing with insurance and reimbursements. What do those terms, concierge practice and boutique medicine, mean? Are these forms of practice beneficial to patients? What are the pros and cons to consider in deciding whether to choose a doctor who participates in this form of practice?
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In a country like Switzerland doctors even have 2 waiting rooms. One for private patients + fast service, and one for insurance patients, they wait until private waiting room is empty.
Watch the TV show "Royal Pains" for more information...
I pay $3,500.00 per year for myself and another $3,500.00 for my wife to have a concierge medicine in addition to our Blue Cross with a $1,500 deductible.
He just expanded and raised his rates; he makes 7 figures and all his clients seem very happy to be alive and able to call a number 24/7 from around the world to have someone who knows your history oversee the care.
We have many mutual clients and have suggested them to many; it is the future of medicine if you can afford it.
Ripoff is a rough word and is rather insulting to me since I pay for it.
I always tell my kids and rude clients not to make fun of what they A- don't understand or B-Can't afford.
Just a thought.
Here in Oregon, my wife and I each pay $1800,00 a year. The best money we ever spent and we would never consider returning to a traditional medical practice. When we need to see a physician we don't want to have to wait for an appointment, wait in some overcrowded waiting room for what seems like an eternity, have to fill out endless redundant paperwork and dick around with co-pays. We have never had to wait more than two days for a referral.
Craig, you are right on the money. We too have worked hard and smart all of our lives and are now in a position where we can afford the best. So, it's not a rip-off by any stretch - it's the reward of a life well lived.
Sorry if I offended. Of course it's a free country, spend it on whatever you like, but to me, 2 days for a referral is way too long. It shouldn't take more than 2 hours, if that long, and should be free or close to it.
I have worked on this too. And everything I come up with reminds me of an insurance company? The question would be how to differentiate your practice from vision insurance. Besides more personalized care what else does the patient receive? Do you charge upfront for your fee or is it a monthly draw? How much to charge? etc. I too would love to see a working model in optometry.
Jeramy
I too would like to see some input from a practicing optometrist but I am not holding my breath. Here is a web site from a gerontologist in Naples, Florida that will give you an idea:
http://www.naplespremierconcierge.co...physician.html
Perhaps a business model for an OD would charge, lets say, $400.00 a year which would cover all chair time and diagnostic tests. Patient pays for their own C/L's and eye wear. No insurance or vision plans. Practice would just have to pay two salaries, office help and optician.
In today's competitive eyecare marketplace, that's pretty much what is given by most practitioners, whether or not the patient has any insurance, except like most successful business arrangements, it is pay as you go, not in advance of (and certainly not "bill you later"!) for services being rendered.
I'd be afraid the only people signing up for it would be the perennial time wasters who would be sure to drop in every chance they got. And can you imagine a family of emmetropes paying anything for it?
I put my money into a Platinum health plan. I already have a MD I can walk in on 6 days a week. I don't see where a concierge Dr would be any better, at least for me. My medical costs are pretty much non-primary care Dr related, like meds, MRI's, surgeries, ect. I get all of those at no cost. Between surgeries, meds, diagnostic testing, ect, my wife and I had over 180k worth of stuff done last year. Out of pocket....Zero.
The 2 days means we see the specialist in 2 days; if you call on your own it is 6-12 weeks out for a new patient. The specialist they refer to also give you preferential treatment. I notice my appointments are usually at 12 or 1, so they just fit us in because of our referral. We also get to decide which radiologist reads the report out of 12 who are partners.
When you get sick it helps to have a team around you. I love this plan and know if is the only medical future that makes sense. You cannot afford to treat everyone the same no matter what the system; the wealthy will always pay for services not available to the masses.
I agree, although if you can see a specialist in 2 days for routine care (non emergency), maybe their "special list" of specialists is not so special. And what's in it for the specialist to give you the red carpet treatment? If he/she is a top notch specialist, does someone get a kickback? Illegal of course, so probably not. Hmm. Where does that money go? I'm just sayin'...
(oh, and that bit about the records available all over the world, that is now standard of care and should not cost any extra).
I think this is a fantastic idea, specially for those of us who are into a more holistic medicine approach. I'm gonna have to look into this for when the husband gets out of the navy...
As for an optical shop, I'm not sure I can think far enough outside the box to see how this would really work, but I would love to hear more ideas.
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