I work for a successful private practice and over the course of this last year, I began to realize that we (a private practice) are losing a lot of patients for a few reasons. Obviously, the economy is hurting a lot of people and they can't afford to come in as often. The other reason is a lot of patients are losing VSP (Vision Service Plan), the plan that is arguably the best in terms of vision care. Many of them are turning away from private practice. Just this last week, there was an announcement that starting July 1st, MediCal (Medicaid in CA), will no longer provide vision services for those over 21!
And lastly, I have a friend who works for Bank of America, and apparently companies like Bank of America and AT&T are only offering their employees vision care through certain corporate chains now, such as Lenscrafters.
As an optometry student, I feel many of us like the idea of forming our own private practice. But is it naive to suggest that this is going to be very hard or maybe near impossible in the future? Is optometry as a profession shifting to more of a corporate career?
What do current students and practicing ODs think?
And lastly, I have a friend who works for Bank of America, and apparently companies like Bank of America and AT&T are only offering their employees vision care through certain corporate chains now, such as Lenscrafters.
As an optometry student, I feel many of us like the idea of forming our own private practice. But is it naive to suggest that this is going to be very hard or maybe near impossible in the future? Is optometry as a profession shifting to more of a corporate career?
What do current students and practicing ODs think?
