Costco is Now in-Network Providers of VSP

**kcount** · 06-26-2011, 07:44 PM

Wonder how much longer until independent opticians with OD's on staff will get to go in-network?

So that's Cisco has a VSP owned outlet, in-network and now Costco.

**racethe1320** · 06-26-2011, 10:46 PM

Really? Where is the news of in network Costco? I'd love to read up. Costco is not in network.

Cisco's doc is also an independent. She is not on the payroll of VSP. She is actually employed by the same compnay that runs the rest of Cisco's clinic but runs her own practice. As an independent she too meets the requirements to be in network for VSP.

**kcount** · 06-26-2011, 11:06 PM

There was a VSP dinner last week in Chicago. VSP global is running a pilot program where Costco will be an in-network provider. VSP is apparently under the gun from customers for more providers for there employees. Eyemed and their LC/Pearl chains is a threat and VSP is looking for options.

As per Cisco, Per the bolg from VSP they never once stated the office/dispencery was owned 51% by the OD. if the OD is an Independent contractor to VSP there is no difference to my OD. There fore my OD should be able to bill to VSP as In-Network as the Cisco/Costco OD does.

Race, the line is narrowing between in-network/out-of-network at some point there are going to be allot of unhappy OD's in the nation. In the end who owns the bills in the office is non-issue, it's who is providing the exam and the recommendations for the patients eye care. Ownership is a red herring.

**pezfaerie** · 06-27-2011, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by kcount

There was a VSP dinner last week in Chicago. VSP global is running a pilot program where Costco will be an in-network provider. VSP is apparently under the gun from customers for more providers for there employees. Eyemed and their LC/Pearl chains is a threat and VSP is looking for options.

Are you sure they weren't talking about the "Preffered provider program" ? Because Costco is already a part of that. Under that program the are considered "in-network" (just not the vsp network) it's the Marchon network so they can bill and get reimbursed directly.

**kcount** · 06-27-2011, 04:07 PM

I know about the preferred provider program, no this was a new pilot program where Costco is made a full on in-network provider.

**pezfaerie** · 06-27-2011, 05:09 PM

Curiouser and curiouser....

**racethe1320** · 06-27-2011, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by kcount

There was a VSP dinner last week in Chicago. VSP global is running a pilot program where Costco will be an in-network provider. VSP is apparently under the gun from customers for more providers for there employees. Eyemed and their LC/Pearl chains is a threat and VSP is looking for options.

Old news. Costco is not an in network provider. It's not just VSP that's getting pressure from employers, but OD's and all independents. As you know, Eye Med touts retail; their retail, not you or me.

As per Cisco, Per the bolg from VSP they never once stated the office/dispencery was owned 51% by the OD. if the OD is an Independent contractor to VSP there is no difference to my OD. There fore my OD should be able to bill to VSP as In-Network as the Cisco/Costco OD does.

Cisco's doctor is employed by the practice mgt. co. I can't recall the name, but I have it at the office. They are a VSP Doc just like me so there is no difference. Costco however, is out of network and costs the patients more. Again, I could care less about Costco as if my patients leave my dispensary and go there or to you, to another VSP shop or Costco, all it means is that me and my staff have not done our job. Especially if the patient is willing to pay more to go there.

Race, the line is narrowing between in-network/out-of-network at some point there are going to be allot of unhappy OD's in the nation. In the end who owns the bills in the office is non-issue, it's who is providing the exam and the recommendations for the patients eye care. Ownership is a red herring.

There are already a lot of unhappy OD's. Lots of unhappy opticians too. At least that's what I see on this board. Sorry, but it's true.

**racethe1320** · 06-27-2011, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by kcount

I know about the preferred provider program, no this was a new pilot program where Costco is made a full on in-network provider.

We can agree to disagree on that point. I'm still waiting to hear from you on proving the above. Good luck.

**pezfaerie** · 06-27-2011, 11:54 PM

Hey Racethe1320, just to clarify, are you aware of the Marchon Prefered Provider Program? I couldn't remember from the past threads if you were or not.

**kcount** · 06-28-2011, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by racethe1320

Cisco's doctor is employed by the practice mgt. co. I can't recall the name, but I have it at the office. They are a VSP Doc just like me so there is no difference. Costco however, is out of network and costs the patients more. Again, I could care less about Costco as if my patients leave my dispensary and go there or to you, to another VSP shop or Costco, all it means is that me and my staff have not done our job. Especially if the patient is willing to pay more to go there.

The Dr. must be the owner of the dispensary to be an in-network provider. Cisco's optical is not owned by the doctor. I have never understood this requirement. Could it be that VSP is looking the otherway on this one?

Interestingly, my office is not owned by me but my corporation... hmmm

**racethe1320** · 06-29-2011, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by pezfaerie

Hey Racethe1320, just to clarify, are you aware of the Marchon Prefered Provider Program? I couldn't remember from the past threads if you were or not.

Yes. I feel I have a pretty good understanding of it.

**bigeyejim** · 08-25-2011, 11:40 AM

Anybody sit in on the webinar/conference call?? I did. Anyone want to kick this dead horse around some more?

**kcount** · 08-25-2011, 11:45 AM

What did they say on the conference call?

**pezfaerie** · 08-25-2011, 12:24 PM

I love kicking around dead horses! Especially if they offer information ;)
So.....any new info from this confrerence call??

**AustinEyewear** · 08-25-2011, 08:53 PM

I gonna give VSP credit for at least realizing they are upsetting a lot of practitioner by their recent moves. They are actively making attempts to perform damage control. Problem is, as it always has been in human history, perception is 90% of reality.

**kcount** · 08-25-2011, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by AustinEyewear

I
gonna give VSP credit for at least realizing they are upsetting a lot of practitioner by their recent moves. They are actively making attempts to perform damage control. Problem is, as it always has been in human history, perception is 90% of reality.

As a result fact is 10% of perception. VSP is playing their hand the question isn't about VSP, it about you. How are you going to play yours?

**AustinEyewear** · 08-25-2011, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by kcount

As a result fact is 10% of perception. VSP is playing their hand the question isn't about VSP, it about you. How are you going to play yours?

One word. Diversification.

**racethe1320** · 08-25-2011, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by AustinEyewear

I gonna give VSP credit for at least realizing they are upsetting a lot of practitioner by their recent moves. They are actively making attempts to perform damage control. Problem is, as it always has been in human history, perception is 90% of reality.

I wouldn't call it damage control. There's no damage being done by their actions. It's called education. Reality is that it's normal for people to fear and get angry at what they don't understand why. Same thing with their affiliate program. Same thing for their move into private branding. Same thing about their purchasing Marchon. What's the one common theme among negative threads about all those? Lack of true understanding.

**Barry Santini** · 08-26-2011, 05:29 AM

Originally Posted by racethe1320

I wouldn't call it damage control. There's no damage being done by their actions. It's called education. Reality is that it's normal for people to fear and get angry at what they don't understand why. Same thing with their affiliate program. Same thing for their move into private branding. Same thing about their purchasing Marchon. What's the one common theme among negative threads about all those? Lack of true understanding.

Spin +1

**Judy Canty** · 08-26-2011, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by Barry Santini

Spin +1

+1

**racethe1320** · 08-26-2011, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by Barry Santini

Spin +1

Originally Posted by CuriousCat

+1

I'm sorry, did I miss a question or two from you both?

**DragonLensmanWV** · 08-26-2011, 09:15 AM

**racethe1320** · 08-26-2011, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by DragonLensmanWV

Please share more on your thoughts. That is if you wish to actually engage in a conversation this time.

**Judy Canty** · 08-26-2011, 11:00 AM

Nope, just admiring the spin.

**Johns** · 08-26-2011, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by racethe1320

There's no damage being done by their actions. It's called education.

Barry, Curious Cat, and Dragon: It's called education. Very similar to when a child takes the adult's cake, and the adult reprimands the child with a smack to the face.

No damage. Just a quick "education".

(VSP decided they need more cake.)