Feb. 28, 2018
Ali Khoshnevis, OD, who manages consumer-facing product lines for Rev360, sees optometry heading for a distinct bifurcation–between those who are primarily providing retail eyecare and eyewear, and others who concentrate on medical care. In setting your future course, he advises, analyze your community and patient base, then concentrate on honing the skills, and improving the procedures, that will help you meet changing patient needs and demands.
DECIDE ON RETAIL OR MEDICAL. Practice owners who focus on building the retail side of their practice will need to compete by offering flexible scheduling, including same-day appointments and transparent pricing. Those who focus on medical will need to focus on building relationships with hospital systems to ensure high patient volume and high reimbursements.
MORE PRESSURE ON CITY DOCTORS. ODs practicing in large metropolitan areas, where patients have many choices, will be more pressured to pick a side to focus on. In contrast, ODs in rural areas, where patients may have fewer choices, can continue to be jacks of all trades.
CHANGING PROSPECTS FOR MEDICAL PROFITABILITY. To profit in providing medical eyecare, practices must build contract-based relationships with large hospital systems. Under the right conditions and with the right strategy, medical eyecare can be more of a revenue-driver than optical sales.
Ali Khoshnevis OD, FAAO, is Manager, Consumer Facing Technologies at Rev360. To contact: akhoshnevis@rev-360.com
