FOR ITS ANNUAL COVERAGE OF ALLIANCES, Optometric Management asked seven optometric alliances — IDOC, IOP Network, Opti-Port, PECAA, PERC, Vision Source, and Vision Trends — to update our readers on their benefits. Below are answers from company representatives to the question, “Within the last year, what has your alliance done that has brought added value to its membership?” All efforts have been made to contact optometric alliances by press time. The online version of this article will be updated as needed.

ADO Practice Solutions

For its members in 2023, ADO Practice Solutions offers the Free Frame Shipping program, to help streamline frame and prescription ordering and reduce the cost of goods. Frames from more than 25 vendors are offered, in partnership with Walman Optical. ADO also provides the services DONE4YOU Marketing, to assist eye care professionals who wish to grow their practice by outsourcing their marketing, and the FUEL Staff Development and Education program, which offers more than 200 resources to help both new and existing staff members develop and improve their skills.

IDOC

IDOC reported that 2022 marked a year of optimizing and enhancing its Services portfolio—financial, marketing, optical and HR services available to all independent practices, regardless of alliance affiliation. Additionally, IDOC prepared to offer new lab services as part of a unification with Three Rivers Optical (TRO). The merger was announced in January, and brings together the two companies’ 75-plus years combined history of helping grow eye care prac­tices. Both IDOC and TRO will continue operating under their existing names and with their respective management teams in place in the combined company. TRO complements IDOC’s suite of services with its own products and outstanding customer service.

IOP NETWORK

IOP Network recently made itself “fee free” to remove barriers to its alliance membership, allowing “even the smallest practices” to join IOP Network.

Additionally, over the last year, IOP Network has secured new partnerships with companies, such as ABB Optical Group and ASPEX Eyewear, while furthering its relationships with important partners, such as Zeiss Vision Care. IOP Network says these partnerships allow it to bring its products and services to its members while reducing their overall costs.

OPTI-PORT

Opti-Port’s study group support system assisted members in navigating issues including price compression, rising costs, and staff turnover. To combat the risk of profit erosion, Opti-Port members “leveraged proprietary reporting and analytics software to gain business insights for better decision making.” To address members’ staff recruitment, hiring, and retention obstacles, Opti-Port members were able to access a thorough and scalable employer branding solution. Members also benefited by “obtaining critical support to find and retain quality staff.”

PECAA

To help drive practice growth, PECAA’s Member Business Advisor team added experts in business operations and optical management. Additionally, all PECAA members now automatically receive expanded billing and coding resources to optimize their accounts receivable.

PECAA also introduced new purchasing programs with an expanded roster of vendors and consolidated billing service. New education and training programs for doctors and staff are also available, and keep members updated on the latest in eye care and practice management.

PERC

PERC has “focused on providing members added opportunities for learning and growth” by building its soon-to-launch PERC Pinnacle Practices study groups and Accelerator Program. This platform will “allow members to come together and tackle emerging challenges through collaboration and knowledge sharing.”

PERC members have also continued to benefit from PERC Frame Advantage, which helps improve frame board and inventory management. This benefited members by decreasing back orders, creating a more efficient and streamlined process, improving frame and lens order times, and improving business metrics.

VISION SOURCE

Vision Source celebrated a recent milestone — it has now helped 200 optometrists open their first private practice since the launch of its support program Vision Source Next in 2018.

Vision Source also helped host more than 1,000 in-person member events over the course of 2022, through which it helped its community of private practice–owner ODs stay connected and grow. Vision Source has more than 30 years of history providing practice owners with resources and savings opportunities.

VISION TRENDS

In the last year, Vision Trends has added “two new solutions targeting key pain points for the independent optometrist.” The first is VT Lab Solutions, a lens lab in which members can “enjoy ownership stake and control profit and product quality for their practice and patients.” The other is FT Learning Solutions, an employee training service which helps practitioner staff stay knowledgeable and assists with cross-training personnel. OM