vsp secrets?

[smallworld]

I've been told that VSP has some big changes coming Jan.1,2016. Anyone have any clue what's changing?

[fjpod]

maybe they are getting into hearing aids and tire repair.

[Uncle Fester]

http://www.optiboard.com/forums/showthread.php/62738-VSP-will-partner-with-CVS-going-forward?highlight

[smallworld]

I think it's going to be that they give higher benefits if you use their lenses and coating, and less benefits for other products. Similar to what they did with frame allowances.

[drk]

That would make perfect sense.

They used to, in essence, sell discounts to members (think about that for a minute) then steer the members to private practice optometry ("By Optometry and For Optometry" was the old model).

If that wasn't nefarious enough (although nefarious is in the eye of the beholder), now they are simply selling higher discounts to members for their own products, steering consumers towards VSP/Marchon.

I think it's fair game. It's all marketing. Very, very successful marketing.

It's just dressed up like "insurance" and legitimized by being sold alongside medical plans and dental plans.

Some day, consumers may wake up and realize that they don't have to pay for discounts. But whatever.

[Judy Canty]

I am waiting to see the changes as well. Jan 1, 2016 is when the new law in VA goes into effect. VCPs can no longer restrict lab choices.

[drk]

I wonder, Judy, if they'll be able to create demand for their proprietary products and make you outsource to the VSP labs?

Or, will they simply just not sell the "Choice" (ironic) plans to groups in Virginia? Would that work?

[ml43]

I wonder, Judy, if they'll be able to create demand for their proprietary products and make you outsource to the VSP labs?

Or, will they simply just not sell the "Choice" (ironic) plans to groups in Virginia? Would that work?

Easier to just increase chargebacks, and offer more rebates for using VSPone

one way to stick it to independent labs, and increase internal revenue at the same time

[Judy Canty]

It's hard to say what will happen. I'm pretty sure that the law won't affect the FED/VIP plan since it was negotiated differently than the others. But I do know that I have an increasing number of practices that are finding ways to eliminate VSP, at least from the dispensary side. They're letting their patients know that if they can't control the process, they can't control the quality.

But, it's still all up in the air for the next 2 weeks and 4 days.

[Jubilee]

I know several labs have been "encouraged" to bring in processing of the Unity lenses. That VSP is narrowing the field of labs that will be available to use, and labs are more likely to be kept on if they are willing and able to produce Unity product.

I can see this as being necessary if they are realigning lenses like frames.. and there are already some plans that do that, such as FEP/VIP where the Unity PALs and Coatings are covered and the premium name brand has a copay..

[Craig]

I wonder how long before VSP does it and if January 1, 2016 is the day for VCP all on-line. Eyemed and its 37 million members get to go to glasses.com site for free or go to retail for higher cost and service.

What are all the OD's going to do when they loose another 30% of their current optical business? Can it be done as an OD who lives on VCP eye exams?

I am watching the race to the bottom and hope someone has a life raft on retainer.

[tx11]

In theory "the race to the bottom" will finally determine if service, knowledge and expertise is all that important to the consumer anymore. Might have to come up with a "cafeteria" style list of after-on-line- purchase services to offer.

[Craig]

I am starting to get luxury frames brought in that they bought on the internet; most are discontinued models but we are charging an extra $35 for them. most are drill mounts.

[golfnut]

maybe they are getting into hearing aids and tire repair.

lmao!

[Uncle Fester]

Could the "secret" be a substantial increase in business' signed up for next year?

Anyone else see the list???

[colem84]

I know several labs have been "encouraged" to bring in processing of the Unity lenses. That VSP is narrowing the field of labs that will be available to use, and labs are more likely to be kept on if they are willing and able to produce Unity product.

I can see this as being necessary if they are realigning lenses like frames.. and there are already some plans that do that, such as FEP/VIP where the Unity PALs and Coatings are covered and the premium name brand has a copay..

We had hardly any success with the Unity lens. We had several pt remakes.

[fjpod]

Could the "secret" be a substantial increase in business' signed up for next year?

Anyone else see the list???

Yes.

[AngeHamm]

We had hardly any success with the Unity lens. We had several pt remakes.

No problems here. Your mileage may vary.

[ThatOneGuy]

The big change will probably only come from one division of VSP. My guess is in the eyeconic framework.

[David_Garza]

I recieved an e-mail about new accounts in 2016 but didn't bother to look through it. What i have noticed in my area is a very steady decline in VSP patients since 2008/2010.

[RIMLESS]

I think they are going to raise exam fees up to 1/32 of Medicare Rates

[Dr. Bill Stacy]

The big change will probably only come from one division of VSP. My guess is in the eyeconic framework.

I think you might be right. I've been trying to get through to eyeconic for 2 days now. Their web site is only for patients. Don't seem to have a site for providers. When I call now I get a recording and they don't call back.

Something is up.

p.s. What prompted me to call them was they sent me a finished Rx for one of my patients and it had no patient name on it, so I had no way to find out whose they were except by calling them. They gave me a web site to try that does not exist. Wow.

[Dr. Bill Stacy]

I think they are going to raise exam fees up to 1/32 of Medicare Rates

Silly comment. Their reimbursement rates are very near Medicare rates, at least in California.

[RIMLESS]

Sadly, not so silly. Talk to some colleagues in the Sunshine state. Maybe I need to go west.

[Jubilee]

Less than half of medicare rates in Indiana :(

And as for Unity.. bleh. I was never said they were good, just labs are getting the pressure to produce/sell them.