THE MEDICAL BENEFITS alone — avoiding the hazards that come with stretching out the supply or otherwise abusing the lenses — should be enough to sell most CL patients on the advantages of an annual supply. Or failing that, just the convenience of not having to re-order. If only the business of optometry were so simple. Alas, getting patients to do what’s best for their vision seems to require sweetening the deal. Here’s how six ECPs entice patients to sign up for contact lens deals — or otherwise make CL sales work for them.
Shoreline Eyecare
Shoreline, WA
Erika Tydor, OD, at Shoreline Eyecare says BoomContacts.com has helped her practice, describing it as a “flexible, real-time tool that can be used in-store as a tablet or on-screen, and can also be sent to customers by text or email for follow-up.” BoomContacts simplifies product information, allowing the user to toggle comparisons of order types, between monthly and annual sales, or between products, and shows a clear quote for purchase. Customers can pay through text or email. Tydor says the system’s strength lies in giving patients a visual breakdown of the cost. “I believe it has kept patients that would have gone elsewhere in the house, so I see it as moneymaker,” she says.
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Lifetime Eyecare
Jenison, MI
Lifetime Eyecare has had success offering half off plano sunglasses with a year supply of contacts. Optical manager Tiffany Firer says CLs are moneymakers when you consider the whole experience. “CL wearers tend to come in more for their yearly exams and many still purchase backup glasses.” She says belonging to Vision Source gives the practice access to “some amazing contact lenses at a great price point.” She urges ECPs thinking of trying their own offer to remember the culture of their practice and that how you message the offer does a lot for how patients approach the discount.
Dr. Texas L. Smith & Associates
Citrus Heights, CA
In addition to applying manufacturers’ rebates for a year’s supply, Dr. Texas Smith finds CLs allow him to offer the kind of service that generates great word of mouth. He puts together a Vacation Kit of one-day contacts for travelers and offers kid athletes daily lenses as spares. “This is full service eyecare, and may generate a positive Yelp review,” he says. And here’s a free tip: “During an exam on a high hyperope or presbyope, I always offer to put on a pair of contacts so the patient can see the frame they will pick out for their new Rx. Sometimes that yields a new CL patient.”
Insights Eyecare
Manhattan, KS
In a twist on the usual “discounted or free frames with an annual supply of CLs” model, Insights Eyecare offers a 20 percent discount on contacts when purchasing a fully loaded pair of glasses. The goal is to give patients the incentive to purchase from an office rather than a grey market retailer. Says Lindsey Pulford: “They know their contacts are supplied and stored in a safe environment while also supporting a local business. If they purchase the glasses — this is also with no insurance involved — then we are making the total profit on the glasses. And let’s face it, every CL wearer should own a pair of glasses.” Pulford says she notices that presbyopes are the most likely to show interest. “They are a bit older, understand the value of backup glasses more, and know they may not always want to wear the CL.”
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Monson Eyecare Center
Owatonna, MN
Kim Hilgers at Monson Eyecare Center says patients have responded well to the MyACUVUE subscription program through Vistakon. Patients with a valid CL prescription can sign up for monthly free delivery and are charged monthly as well, which makes an annual supply easier to afford. The program works with insurance benefits, but the practice sets pricing and is not charged for participating. “Compliance of contact lens wearing schedule seems to directly increase with purchase of an annual supply, so it’s a win-win,” says Hilgers, adding that the program has made the competitive team at Monson more aware of the need to get patients into an annual supply right away. “One of our clinics increased annual supplies by 7 percent. That may not sound like much, but our capture rate for all contact lens orders was nearly 80 percent last year.”
Thomas Vision Clinic
Leesville, LA
Thomas Vision Clinic has learned there’s more profit to be made in offering free inexpensive products than offering a dollar amount off a year supply. An annual supply of contacts now gets patients a free pair of non-branded sunglasses, a contact lens case, manufacturer’s rebate and 20 percent off back-up glasses and/or designer sunglasses. “We noticed a pretty big increase in the number of contact lens Rxs walking, and had to come up with a game plan to keep them in the office,” says Jessica Gattis, adding that VSP patients are the most likely to take them up on it. Thomas Vision also lets patients know that should they lose or tear a lens, they will replace it. “They actually seem more impressed by this than the free sunglasses,” jokes Gattis.