It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a number of challenges for optometry practices across the country. Practice staff have had to learn new skills and pivot their operations to accommodate various restrictions — no small feat. As optometrists navigated these uncharted waters, optometric alliance/buying group jumped in to provide guidance and help. Alliances and buying groups, during this period, have evolved into a support system, adding new programming, resources, waiving fees and/or assisting practices in navigating the financial details of the CARES Act.

Here’s how many of these groups, listed in alphabetical order, stepped up to help — and continue to help — their members, according to their respective spokespeople. (See “Optometric Alliances and Buying Groups” p.23.)

ABB ONEBILL (FORMERLY PEN)

ABB OneBill (formerly the Primary Eyecare Network - PEN) continues to provide services to members, such as efficient consolidated billing, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. ABB OneBill supports any eye care practice that works with multiple vendors, wants to streamline their processes and help make more efficient use of staff time. - Melanie Miller, ABB Optical Group. Visit abboptical.com/abb-onebill .

CECOP USA

CECOP USA has been responsive to the needs and requirements of its members, particularly as it pertains to the challenges of providing retail and health care services and sustaining revenue during the pandemic.

The group recently launched a suite of marketing and operations solutions, including a virtual frame gallery and try-on, online scheduling, telehealth platforms, a chatbot and email and social media campaigns to help members safely interact with and convey messages to patients.

Additionally, CECOP USA recently partnered with DigitalOptometrics, which enables optometrists to perform eye exams in a remote, contactless matter. This allows patients to feel safe and helps keep both the patient and optical staff socially distanced, the group says.

Further, the group established a Financial Solutions suite offering PPP/CARES Act help as well as help in acquiring small business loans and revolving lines of credit.

Finally, it is worth noting that CECOP USA recently acquired the Alliance Buying Group, which has been committed to providing resources for its practices to remain open and stay informed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its professional marketing programs have helped members develop branding initiatives, create growth strategies and increase patient communication. - Terence Henry, CECOP USA. Visit cecopusa.com .

HEALTHY EYES ADVANTAGE (HEA)

HEA launched two new initiatives: (1) The Coding Coach and (2) HEA PracticeAdvantage. The Coding Coach is a toolkit designed to optimize clinical revenue through improved billing and coding. With this toolkit, members have access to a monthly newsletter, a bi-monthly webinar series, an online billing and coding library and a hotline to access billing consultants. HEA PracticeAdvantage is a subscription-based consulting and staff training program provided by The Williams Group. PracticeAdvantage clients receive monthly strategy sessions with their assigned coach, unlimited inbound consulting and access to a comprehensive staff education and business development online training platform.

Additionally, HEA launched its Practice Booster Program in three practice areas — AMD, innovative technology and medical software essentials. - Dr. Justin L. Manning, HEA. Visit healthyeyesadvantage.com .

IDOC

In March 2020, IDOC formed an internal team to address optometry office closings and provide timely and detailed information regarding current concerns. An example action step: Switch from in-person member study groups to virtual meetings, so that members could remain connected.

In recognizing the need for fast and updated information with the unfolding COVID-19 crisis, IDOC also launched a COVID-19 Resource Center to help members navigate practice-reopening guidelines.

Also, the alliance waived dues for its members in April and May 2020 to provide financial relief.

In July 2020, the IDOC Social Media service was launched — an offering for practices to unburden themselves of responsibilities for social media — allowing them to focus on the new demands related to the COVID-19 crisis. The service provides an efficient way for practices to communicate clearly and timely with patients about office hours and protocols in a customized manner on a weekly basis.

Further, the initiative IDOC Insider, now with more than 1,100 locations, afforded IDOC members real-time data and identified the “v-shaped” recovery that IDOC members experienced. Members were able to track their weekly practice data and see how fast they were recovering; this validation of the rebound helped members realize that the worst was behind them and gave them confidence for the second half of the year. - Bridgette O’Brien, IDOC. Visit idoc.net .

Optometric Alliances and Buying Groups

O.D. Alliances

ABB OneBill: abboptical.com/abb-onebill 

FYidoctors: fyidoctors.com/en 

IDOC: idoc.net 

Independent Optometric Partners (IOP): iopnetwork.net 

Opti-Port: optiport.com 

Professional Eye Care Associates of America (PECAA): pecaa.com 

Vision Source: visionsource.com 

Vision Trends: vtrends.us 

Buying Groups

ADO Practice Solutions: adopracticesolutions.com 

Alfred J. Villavecchia Buying Group: villavecchia.com 

CECOP USA: cecopusa.com 

Healthy Eyes Advantage (HEA): healthyeyesadvantage.com 

HMI Buying Group: hmibg.com 

Nassau OOGP: oogp.com 

Professional Eyecare Resource Co-Operative (PERC): percalliance.com 

Red Tray Network: redtraynetwork.com 

 The Alliance Buying Group: thealliancebg.com 

OPTI-PORT

As the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, Opti-Port found its members were facing challenges unique to large, multi-office practices. These challenges included implementing safety protocols across multiple locations, facilitating patient communication and navigating the CARES Act.

Opti-Port responded with a variety of resources, including a webinar series to give members access to pose questions to experts on legal and human resources topics, a series of executive conference calls to provide members a forum for private discussion and a transition to virtual learning for study groups and conference series.

Leveraging its CLX System (a contact lens-ordering system), Opti-Port also facilitated additional patient communication and e-commerce functionality to help members continue to capture contact lens revenue when offices were closed.

Finally, Opti-Port has vetted and sourced vendors to offer members a range of essential personal protective equipment at competitive pricing. - Dr. Jason Lake, Opti-Port/PERC. Visit optiport.com .

PROFESSIONAL EYE CARE ASSOCIATES OF AMERICA (PECAA)

PECAA has made several updates to help members during these difficult times. This has included a recently introduced classified ad section on PECAA.com, where members can post job opportunities, equipment for sale and more.

Additionally, this group is in the process of hiring someone who has a marketing MBA to provide members with in-depth marketing assistance. This is in conjunction with a recent rollout of a new marketing resource center.

Considering the current health care crisis, PECAA also has relaunched its Health Association Plan, so that members can offer employees health care benefits, while leveraging its buying power. - Jenny Wiley, PECAA. Visit Pecaa.com .

PROFESSIONAL EYECARE RESOURCE CO-OPERATIVE (PERC)

As PERC members faced increasing economic and financial pressures during the emergence of the pandemic, PERC enhanced its resources to best support them. This has included access to an on-demand practice resources section designed to support practice management areas affected by the pandemic. Resources include state-by-state unemployment guides, patient care protocols and business management tools.

Further, PERC hosts a member-exclusive webinar series featuring experts in human resources and employment law.

In addition, members can order a range of personal protective equipment products through preferred PERC programs, negotiated with various vendors. Finally, PERC continues to negotiate with vendors across product categories. - Dr. Jason Lake. Visit percalliance.com . OM