With the help of some insurance carriers, local independent eye-care professionals seem to be bucking one trend — consolidation of small enterprises into large conglomerates.
Despite corporate stores that claim to offer fast service and extra product, the independent optometrist continues to thrive — especially those who are well past their medical school years.
"It would certainly be daunting of a young graduate to open his own practice right out of school given the debt many have and, more importantly, having no knowledge of how to run a business," said Dr. Dennis DeLee, 63, who works in Chicago in a practice he bought 11 years ago. "To me, the independents are still very successful and offer things the corporate sector can't."
Two Naperville doctors who are married to each other work in DeLee's office.
DeLee cites advantages that include personalized service, state-of-the-art technology, and medically related services that often characterize the independent service provider — services that he says don't necessarily have to cost more than patients can afford.
Dr. Richard Butz, 54, who operates the Professional Eye Center, 1112 S. Washington St., in Naperville, agrees that diagnostic patient-care services are often superior when using an independent eye care practitioner, and that many insurance plans make service costs "even cheaper than the warehouse doctors charge."
"I bought my own business 21 years ago, although I did work in the corporate setting before that, and I really enjoy the element of having more control," Butz said. "I can make decisions on equipment and my schedule, and I can delve into patient care more deeply.
"I can remember in the corporate setting telling management that I wanted this particular contact lens to treat a patient or some different product, and they'd just say 'no' and not do it."
Funneling clients
Insurance providers like VSP have joined in the effort to help independents be successful. Cheryl Johnson, vice president of provider services, said her company focuses on private practitioners.
"VSP Vision Care is the largest not-for-profit vision benefits company in the United States with 56 million members and a network of 27,000 independent eye care doctors, including 18 doctors in Naperville," Johnson said. "VSP is committed to the success and growth of private practice. Our focus is on promoting the high-quality care our doctors deliver and continuing to increase the number of patients we send to them."
Ray Kinney of Naperville's Minuteman Press said his employees receive independent insurance benefits and that many, including Kinney, believe in the service and reputation of independent doctors.
"I'm a big proponent of service, and I've been going to the same doctor for years," Kinney said. "I feel it's important you have someone who knows your history, and while I wouldn't rule out getting a pair of sunglasses or an extra pair of contacts from a franchise eye care service, I wouldn't ever replace my own private practitioner."
Negotiating rates
Insurance brokers like Naperville's Bill Hayes who works for the Esser Hayes Insurance Group suggest that costs through an insurance program like VSP often can be more reasonable "based on negotiated better rates."
"Some practitioners may charge $100 for an eye exam, and VSP might have negotiated with some doctor or group practice to lower that to $50," Hayes said. "The premiums paid each month by a company to the insurance carrier can more than make up for the money lost in lowered fees."
Hayes' colleague Tom Pruett, who serves as the vice president of employee benefits says that while only five percent of those with a group health plan purchase separate vision insurance, there are others with free programs included.
"Some of the group health insurance companies offer a free vision discount program for eye exams, frames and lenses and contacts, so a majority of our groups have a no-cost vision discount program although they are not as comprehensive," Pruett said.
Dr. Allen Smith, 49, of English Rows Eye Care in Naperville, just opened his own practice 18 months ago and believes managed health care plans like VSP have been essential in helping his practice grow.
"Having an insurance plan like this allows patients to have a place to go and not pay more than they would at a big box retailer," Smith said. "Having a managed care plan is essential, but for me, it's also about living and working in Naperville.
"I've practiced here in the city the past 20 years, and I moved here within the last 12. The quality of people here is what attracts others to my practice, which is essential as well."
Independent eye doctors are one segment of the health care business that is doing well. Some eye insurance companies even encourage their success. | Sun file photoSmithButzDeLee
