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Choosing and Using Tech

A look at when to purchase and utilize technology

APRIL JASPER, O.D.

New technology to an optometrist is like bait to a fish: Hard to resist. Yet the consequences of an “impulse buy” can be dire. The optometrist may buy something that isn’t necessarily practical for his or her practice, or may misuse (under or over utilize) it, placing the financial standing of the practice at risk.

Here, I discuss when it’s a good idea to “take the bait” and how to ensure proper utilization.

When to “bite”

The most important consideration for buying new technology is patient benefit, not billing. In other words, ask yourself, “how will the technology benefit my patients?”

For example, we purchased a corneal wavefront analyzer years ago because we know our patients desire and value a fast, yet accurate, refraction. Now, we use the device in the office daily to save patients time, while providing the best prescription possible.

After patient benefit, you should consider the technology’s reliability, time of use, user-friendliness and, of course, ROI.

Ensuring proper utilization

Once you’ve determined the technology is worth buying, you must create protocols to make certain you and your staff use the technology properly. To accomplish this, it is imperative to become familiar with the LCDs/NCDs guidelines and rules for each technology. In addition, utilize the suggested guidelines for the particular technology developed by the AOA, as well as that of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Further, read your contracts for every insurance plan you are a provider for to determine their requirements for each technology. (A caveat: Insurance plans can have different rules for the same technology, so know these distinctions to notify your patients if their insurance won’t cover the test. Each insurance plan can have specific rules for how to notify your patients about out-of-pocket costs, and they can have rules regarding codes that must be used to report that you have had this conversation with the patient and received patient approval to continue.)

Now, you are ready to create a written set of instructions regarding when using the technology is appropriate, the timing of when you should use it, how, specifically, the technology should be operated and when it should be repeated in an effort to provide the best care for the patient.

Once you have developed these protocols, be sure to add them to your practice’s compliance program (See “Averting Audits: Part 3,” Oct. 2014 issue).

Ducks in a row

Protocols can help to ensure proper utilization of technology in practice. So, spend the time to learn the rules, as laid out by the insurance plans, and then determine how the technology fits into clinical practice and patient flow. Doing so will make you a better doctor and create happy, informed patients who have the opportunity to receive the best care available. OM

DR. JASPER IS A VISION SOURCE ADMINISTRATOR AND IN PRIVATE PRACTICE IN WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. E-MAIL HER AT DRJASPER@AESWPB.COM, OR COMMENT AT OPTOMETRICMANAGEMENT@GMAIL.COM.