InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice Management

Building and Running a Profitable Optical with Jay Binkowitz [#R019]

Noted consultant and creator of the EDGE system, Jay Binkowitz stops by to chat with us about the basics of running a profitable optical.

We touch on several points, including:

  • OD/Optician Partnerships
  • Maintaining profitability in an era of vision care plans
  • How much space an optical should take up
  • Board management
  • How often one should renovate
  • To edge, or not to edge!

Whether you are just getting out of school & setting up an optical for the first time, or have been through it before, Jay offers lots of practical tips.

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InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice Management

Avoiding Coding and Billing Disasters with John Rumpakis [#R018]

As the medical model and the use of high-tech instrumentation has grown, ECPs have been increasingly subject to audits by insurance companies and the federal government.

The fines for incorrectly coding and billing can easily run into six-figures, and in some cases can be even higher!

In this episode of ODwire.org Radio, noted expert John Rumpakis, OD, MBA stops by to talk about how to avoid getting hit with major fines by properly coding and billing your patient encounters.

He discusses some important coding strategies as well as disasters he’s seen as a consultant.

If you are responsible for the billing in your practice, you won’t want to miss this show!

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InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice ManagementTechnology

The Nuts and Bolts of Implementing Automated Vision Testing in Practice [#R017]

Automated Vision Testing can make a practice more efficient, more profitable, and even change the mix of patients that you see.

But getting started with high-tech equipment can be a daunting prospect for many clinicians.

Louis J. Catania, O.D., FAAO., D.Sc. stops by ODwire.org Radio to discuss the nuts-and-bolts of getting your practice up to speed with Automated Vision Testing.

A recognized expert in new eye care technologies (and voted one of the 10 most influential optometrists of the 20th century!), Lou has implemented Automated Testing in his own practice, and he shares his “do’s and don’ts” based on real experience.

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InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice Management

Choosing a Credit Card Processor [#R016]

Every practice needs to pick a processor in order to run credit cards.

But how do you go about choosing the right one?

  • Should you just go with the ones promising low rates?
  • Is service important too?
  • And what about ancillary services, such as check verification, cash advance, or gift cards?
  • Should you just go with your local bank?

In this ODwire.org Radio show, Adam and Paul sit down with Matthew Focht, President of Tru Processing.

Tru is a consulting firm that helps small businesses choose the processor that’s the best match for their needs.

Matthew reviews the most important issues when choosing processors and helps you figure out some of the
“tricks” that processors like to use to boost their profits.

If you run credit cards in your office, this is a show you won’t want to miss.

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InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice Management

Boosting Second-Pair Sales with Tom Bowman [#R015]

Do you feel uncomfortable promoting second-pairs or upselling in your optical?

Ever wondered how to boost your sale of second-pairs without sounding like a used car salesman?

In this ODwire.org Radio interview, long-time ODwire.org member and consultant Tom Bowman gives his tips on how to make it happen, even for the most reticent sales person.

If you are responsible for optical sales in your practice, you won’t want to miss this one!

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InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice Management

Surviving a Natural Disaster: Strategies for Saving your Optometric Practice [#R014]

With much of the east coast still reeling from the effects of Sandy, people are trying to return to some sense of normalcy.

This radio show is all about how your practice can financially survive a natural (or man-made!) disaster.

The broadcast features a panel of insurance experts including Ken Rudzinski, CFP of Heritage Financial Consultants, David C. Alleva, CIC and Michael Alleva, CIC of the Alleva agency.

Topics covered include:

  • The important types of insurance coverages for your practice, including Business Interruption insurance
  • How to decide on deductible sizes when buying
  • What you should do BEFORE making a claim
  • How to report a claim, your rights and responsibilities
  • How to best work with your insurance carrier
  • Whether or not to use Public Adjuster

No area of the country is immune to natural disaster. Listen today because the next time, it may be you in mother nature’s path!

If you have an immediate question and you wish to communicate with David Alleva,CIC

David C. Alleva, CIC
The Alleva Agency
500 Simpson Drive
Chester Springs, PA 19425-9547
610-458-3632
610-458-3216 fax
dalleva@allevainsurance.com

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InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice Management

Disability Insurance for ODs – Protecting Yourself [#R009]

Episode 9: Disability Insurance for ODs – Protecting Yourself

Ken Rudzinski, CFP, talks with us all about how and why ODs should obtain disability insurance.

We discuss how to evaluate plans, how much coverage is enough, and we take an in-depth look at the disability insurance plan currently offered by the AOA.

If you rely on your income as an ECP to provide for your family, then you don’t want to miss this show!

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InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice Management

Building a High-End Eye Care Practice [#R008]

Episode 8: Building a High-End Eye Care Practice

Dr. Steve Silberberg describes his experience of building a high-end private practice from scratch.

Learn how Steve did it & how you can start cultivating a high-end image from day 1.

Topics include picking a location, staffing the practice, and marketing tips.

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InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice Management

The Nuts and Bolts of Medical Billing [#R007]

Episode 7: The Nuts and Bolts of Medical Billing

Return guest Dr. Steven Nelson picks up where he left off in a previous interview, discussing the actual nuts-and-bolts of how clinicians can start billing medical visits in their own practices.

Steven has practiced in a wide variety of settings and has been able to dramatically boost both his gross and net through these medical billing techniques.

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InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice Management

Negotiating Managed Care Contracts, Part 1 [#R005]

ODwire.org Radio

In this episode, Paul and Adam have a chat with noted consultant Gil Weber, MBA.

Gil takes us through the important points to be aware of when negotiating managed care contracts with insurance companies.

Whether you are just getting started, or have been accepting plans for years, Gil’s advice can help you maximize your reimbursements and ensure that you don’t get locked into a contract that makes no sense for you or your practice.

In part 1, we also review seven key points you don’t want to miss when negotiating.

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