Today’s episode takes a different turn as we delve into a project I’ve been working on analyzing optometry data. Join me in exploring a critical aspect of optometry that we’ve touched upon in previous episodes, particularly with Richard Edlow.
If you haven’t caught those conversations, I recommend list
ening to them for context. Richard Edlow provided valuable insights. Now, let’s dive into the data, keeping an open mind a
nd reserving personal opinions for another day.
Decoding Optometric Terminology
The optometric community uses various terms like medical optometrist, primary care optometrist, comprehensive optometrist, and more. Do these descriptors affect the public’s perception of our services? Let’s examine the data using a specific test.
Analyzing Optometry Data – Visual Field Testing in Texas
Visual field testing is a widely utilized technology, especially in glaucoma management. Taking Texas as a case study, we explore the discrepancy between licensed optometrists and those billing for visual fields through Medicare. If you want to know more about billing and coding data check out our premiere billing and coding modules at EyeCode Education.
Key Data Points: Texas Optometry Landscape
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Texas State Board has around 4,500 licenses; 60% hold glaucoma therapeutic certification (2,700 optometrists authorized).
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Medicare data for 2021 reveals only 777 optometrists in Texas billed for visual fields.
Analyzing optometry data further, we observe a significant variation in the number of visual fields billed among optometrists.
Analyzing Optometry Data – Insights
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Top 10% of billers account for a substantial number of visual fields.
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After excluding the top 10%, the remaining 705 optometrists show a range of 11 to 116 visual fields per year.
This data prompts several questions about the profession’s practices and opportunities for improvement.
Challenges and Opportunities in Optometry
The discrepancy in billing raises questions about understanding and addressing acute ocular diseases, comprehensive care, and the dependence on managed vision care plans.
Three Steps to Building a Complete Optometry Practice
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Managing Acute Ocular Diseases: Effectively applying 9 codes for acute conditions.
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Total Patient Care: Integrating comprehensive disease management into primary vision care.
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Freedom from Managed Vision Care: Analyzing the impact of dropping managed vision care strategically.
Understanding the patients entering the practice through managed vision care allows for strategic decisions based on profitability and value.
Analyzing Optometry Data – Conclusion and Call to Action
As we wrap up this exploration, the podcast leaves you with questions:
Why the underperformance in billing visual fields? How can optometrists strategically approach managed vision care plans?
Your insights matter. Connect with us on social media or through email. Share your thoughts on why these patterns exist and how we can collectively enhance the optometry profession.
Thank you for joining this monologue. Stay tuned for deeper dives into this topic in future episodes. Until next time, keep exploring the world of optometry.