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Dr. Haffner & the LaGuardia Meeting that Changed Everything [#R021]

Former dean of the SUNY College of Optometry & genuine “Optometric Living Legend”, Dr. Norman Haffner sits down with us to talk about optometric history, and the fateful day in January 1968, when he was part of a clandestine meeting that took place in a LaGuardia Airport hotel room.

That meeting shook eye care to its foundation, and it was the day that changed optometry from a purely vision care profession to a true health care profession.

If you’ve ever wondered how you came to have prescribing rights, Dr. Haffner goes over the long bloody struggle, and tells what it was like to be at the center of it all.

The outspoken Dr. Haffner also goes on to talk about the current state of eye care, the AOA, and the current board certification issue.

Feel free to ask follow-up questions of Dr. Haffner & leave comments in this thread.

 

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Understanding the Tear Film to Improve Patient Satisfaction with Dr. Krisopher May [#R020]

The health of the tear film is one of the most important ocular surface issues that you’ll face in practice.

Problems with the tear film can lead to contact lens dropouts and decreased patient satisfaction.

In this ODwire.org Radio show, Dr. Kristopher May steps us through:

  • The science of the tear film (including modern updates to the classic “three layer” model that you probably learned in school!)
  • Common issues that impact tear film stability
  • How to prevent tear film issues & improve surface wetting
  • How the latest innovations in contact lens materials interact with the tear film & promote stability, which can reduce dropout.

If its been a while since you’ve studied the tear film (or just want a quick brush-up to help you in practice), you don’t want to miss this show!

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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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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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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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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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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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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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Inside the American Optometric Foundation with Dr. Mark Bullimore [R#013]

The AOF is a philanthropic organization that develops and provides financial support for optometric research and education in vision and eye health.

Dr. Mark Bullimore, past President and current Development Director, sits down with us to discuss all things AOF!

Learn more about:

  • The core mission of the AOF
  • The process of how they award grants to ODs/Researchers
  • The growth of their endowment over the past decade
  • Irv Borish’s relation to the foundation (including funny stories about his (nude) artwork!)
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All About the American Academy of Optometry with Dr. Karla Zadnik [#R012]

Ever thought about joining the American Academy of Optometry?
Or wanted to learn more about the purpose and mission of the Academy

On today’s show, Dr. Karla Zadnik, current President of the AAO stops by ODwire.org Radio to discuss with us:

  • The mission of the AAO
  • How to become a member of the academy
  • The differences between the AAO and the AOA
  • How you can become a Diplomate in the AAO
  • Details about the AAO’s Annual Meeting & what the experience of attending is like.

If you’ve got any follow-up questions for Dr. Zadnik, please post them in this thread!