THE CEO CHECKLIST

HOW DO YOU FARE WITH MANAGED CARE?

SCOT MORRIS, O.D.

WELCOME TO “The CEO Checklist,” which is designed to be a monthly reminder of things your management staff may need to do, as well as a place for ideas you might want to incorporate into your business. Each month will focus on a few general themes, including strategy, finance, human resources, operational workflow, retail items and marketing ■

CHECKLIST: MANAGED VISION CARE ¹

STRATEGY SESSION: Insurance contract review ²

FINANCE: KPI: Managed vision care ³

THE SERVICE SIDE: Cataract ⁴

THE RETAIL SIDE: Post-surgical eyewear ⁵

HUMAN RESOURCES: Bi-annual staff performance reviews ⁶

STAFF TRAINING VA testing training ⁷

THE FACILITY/FORMS: Cataract co-management review ⁸

MARKETING: In-office makeover ⁹

1 Is your practice as organized and profitable as it can be with your vision care plans?

2 When was the last time you evaluated your managed vision care contracts? You may be missing out on significant revenue for the services that you provide. Take 60 minutes.

3 This month’s ratio is true revenue per managed vision care patient. Look at the explanation of benefits forms to determine your true revenue per patient by managed care plan. Doing so may lead to a change in fees for products and services, so you can increase true profitability. Take 60 minutes.

4 Review your cataract treatment protocol. What diagnostic tests are performed? Document how much time you think each will take. Review the correct diagnostic codes, diagnostic protocols and surgical referral protocols. Take 30 minutes every month.

5 Is your staff aware that cataract patients have “some” coverage toward the purchase of eyewear post-surgery? How do they discuss this with patients? Do they discuss UV protection? Take 30 minutes.

6 Schedule some time with each staff member to talk about his or her job responsibilities, as well as what is going well and what needs improvement. Take 15 minutes.

7 Conduct a training class with your staff on how to take VA for distance, intermediate and near. What does your staff say to patients? Educate them about the designations and how to record findings. Take 30 minutes.

8 Review the protocols and coding associated with co-management. Take 5 minutes.

9 Take a look around the office. Is it time for a little makeover? Spring cleaning? Maybe move some displays around. Try a different frame display pattern. Try some new merchandising (See Optometric Management’s “Merchandising” column by Gina Wesley, O.D., for ideas). Clean the carpets, vacuum, and get rid of the cobwebs. Change the light bulbs. Organize the exam rooms. Maybe schedule a time to paint a few walls or provide some new patient education materials. Give the physical office some well-needed attention. Take 30 minutes. OM