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- Apr 25, 2006
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I would like to hear some opinions/stories on corporate practice....good, bad, whatever you have to say. In what ways is it changing the profession? How much impact does it have on private practice?
eggman20 said:I would like to hear some opinions/stories on corporate practice....good, bad, whatever you have to say. In what ways is it changing the profession? How much impact does it have on private practice?
blazenmadison said:Having worked at a corporate office as a tech for 3 years...
I believe
PROS:
Easy 100k
Some companies pay for your staff
No optical store headaches
No pressure to give everyone a Rx so you can sell more frames/lens.
You're more concerned about the patient's eye health than pushing sales of eyeglasses (You're an 'independent' doctor of optometry)
The patient files are yours and not Corporate's.
CONS:
At least 5-6 days/week. Long hours.
No paid vacation/medical benefits
Corporate owns your office, but you lease it from them.
Bad rep from private office docs who thinks you're a sellout.
Salary is stagnant
You have to take certain insurance plans [Eyemed ]
Most if not all your appts are refractions. (no pathology)
Corporate's control is growing. (ie. Lenscrafters and Luxottica wants to sell contacts lens now, which used to be the doc's responsibility) Soon optometrists might be salaried?
prettygreeneyes said:My knowledge of corporate optometry is somewhat limited... but if the corporation is paying for your staff, how would you be considered independent? It is my understanding that paying your own staff is one of the "tests" for independent contractor. Also, I have a sneaking suspicion that corporate would be none to happy if you didn't "push" a certain number of glasses. While they can't outright force you out, they can choose to not renew your lease or raise the payments on you if your exam prices are too high, your hours aren't desirable, you don't bring over enough glasses sales, etc. Can optometrists be "salaried" by corporations? I know that in some, perhaps most, states, it is illegal for an optometrist to be employed by a corporation.
prettygreeneyes said:Where's Dr. Gregory when you need him? 😱
drgregory said:the problem lies in the very low fees charged in most corporate locations, which basically belittle our already belittled profession.
Getting blamed for low dilation sales?!?!? I would like to believe this is because the corporation realizes the benefits of a dilated exam, but I am not that naive. I am very concerned that docs (corporate and private) are not performing routine dilated exams, and that some docs charge an extra fee for it.iiiimonica said:the docs would get blamed for not selling enough retinal photos, or low dilation sales
xmattODx said:Can you speak to the idea that many of those who frequent some of the more commercial of commercial practices (i.e. free exam with glasses, $29 exam, etc.) would not be able to afford any other type of exam? I'm not supporting commercial optometry or belittling it. I honestly am just curious as to your take on the "market" for commercial optometry.
drgregory said:i dont expect anyone to pay for my health, dental, and vision services, and certainly dont expect them to be offered at a reduced rate just because i think they are "too expensive".
xmattODx said:I would argue that even if we cut enrollment and forced every OD over 70 to retire some would still offer their services for $19 as doing so gives you access to a rather large market and from that relatively good income. What do we do with private practitioners who accept insurance plans that pay $19 for the exam? Is encouraging the poor (define that any way you want) onto low paying insurance plans helping optometry more than having commerical practices? Again just curious as to your thoughts.
Ben Chudner said:Getting blamed for low dilation sales?!?!? I would like to believe this is because the corporation realizes the benefits of a dilated exam, but I am not that naive. I am very concerned that docs (corporate and private) are not performing routine dilated exams, and that some docs charge an extra fee for it.
VA Hopeful Dr said:The problem I have seen concerning dilated exams is this: what is the standard of care?
My OD, who passed away about a year ago, dilated EVERYONE at each yearly exam, and often at check ups depending on what problem they had. When he died and other ODs were coming in until the practice was sold, some of them only dilated every other year. My girlfriend has gone 4 years of exams without dilation (she refuses, though the MD never explains why dilation is important.... BIG liability if she turns up with some pathology). My point is, how often should one do a DFE on a regular patient who comes in once a year?
As for charging an extra fee for dilation, well I'd hate to be a doc that does that facing an insurance audit.
Ben Chudner said:Getting blamed for low dilation sales?!?!? I would like to believe this is because the corporation realizes the benefits of a dilated exam, but I am not that naive. I am very concerned that docs (corporate and private) are not performing routine dilated exams, and that some docs charge an extra fee for it.
drgregory said:as much as it pains me to agree with you, you make excellent points..
drgregory said:i hate agreeing with you xmattODx - something feels sacrilegious about it 😉 .
xmattODx said:If we don't find a decent practice to buy in a year we'll open cold. If we fail, we fail but we won't be working for the man anymore!