Vision care insurance provider VSP has described early UK take-up of its Neighbourhood Eyecare network scheme as ‘very encouraging’.
VSP said it had seen steady enrolment into the scheme since its launch earlier this summer (News 28.06.13) and had received nearly 160 applications, which represented more than 250 practice locations throughout the UK.
‘We are encouraged with our initial sign-up and believe VSP practitioners will see added value as our business expands throughout the UK. Our goal is to support as many independent practitioners as possible by providing them with tools and opportunities that allow them to compete and grow their patient base,’ said Pat McNeil, corporate communications director, VSP Global.
Under the scheme, practitioners are required to discount products and professional services by 20 per cent, something that has caused concerns in some quarters of the profession. VSP said the feedback it had received thus far had been positive and backed the support of the Association of Optometrists and National Eyecare Group in their efforts in promoting the scheme.
‘Our goal is to improve patient flow and income for network providers, but we know that each practitioner will have to decide whether or not the programme is a good fit for their specific practice,’ said McNeil.
Another worry for practitioners has been that participating in the scheme will mean they have to dispense frames from VSP subsidiary Marchon. McNeil responded: ‘We do not require VSP practitioners to sell Marchon frames. However, we do offer an incentive to providers for each Marchon frame they dispense to a VSP member. Reaction to this offering has been very positive – Marchon carries a wide variety of popular brands that consumers are attracted to and most practitioners already carry.’