“Where’s Warby?”

Posted on by
Reply
I have encountered a few patients lately that have purchased from Warby Parker. For those of you that are not familiar with Warby Parker, the company began years back as a convenient, cheap pair of mail order glasses. It was really one of the first online marketplaces for eyewear. Soon we would start to see others follow, Zenni Optical, Coastal, Glasses.com to name a few. Specifically, Warby Parker has continued to impress me.
{here’s a place marker for me to pause and explain that most any optical owner out there is gasping by that last statement. Fact is fact and I plan to outline that here. I am speaking specifically only to Warby Parker right now, as an optical owner}

 

I remember my first experience of stepping into a brick and mortar Warby Parker storefront four years ago. I felt like a traitor, a fish out of water, I left with some type of distaste for the brand. “How dare they? First online, now real salespeople to help you out—oh, the demise of the independent optical!” That was then, reflecting back, most of that sentiment was a result of the newness of these other outlets sprouting up everywhere and the “sky is falling” cry of the traditional optical world.

 

Hey, Warby, I can’t beat you on price, I don’t know how you do it. Your lenses are quite good as well. The styles you have are current, likable, I can’t dislike you for any of this. However, I believe there still exists a faction of society that still respects small businesses and exceptional customer service, keeping it local—so to say. I’ll take that. We’ll continue to welcome everyone but cater to those loyal to the small business. It’s really only being fair to those that have decided to spend a little bit more for that level of service. So the saying goes, “you get what you pay for,” we will continue to always provide you a copy of your prescription and if you need a measurement of your interpupillary distance (IPD) we will do that as well.
Beyond that, “Where’s Warby” when someone needs an adjustment, a nosepad replaced, or even a sanitation in our OpticWash? While we’ve been providing theses services complimentary as a form of customer service, now, all our services, these above as well as our no questions asked assurances on breakage and scratches will be reserved for those clients that purchase from our optical gallery.
Menu of Services for Spectacles NOT from Gee Eye Care*:
Plastic/Zyl Adjustment $10
Metal Adjustment $20
Rimless/Drill Mount Adjustment $40
Screw Replacement $15
Reattach a temple (arm) $15
Nylon suspension lens placement $30
Nylon suspension repair $50
Rimless/Drill Mount repair $80
OpticWash Sanitation $10
*these options are all a la carte
-For example: if a plastic frame has a detached temple and there is no screw, the cost will be $30 (for the screw and the labor to attach the temple). If additional adjustment is required a $10 service fee be assessed as well.
-We reserve the right to refuse repair of any pair of glasses not initially dispensed by Gee Eye Care.
-A waiver (dissolving responsibility from our optical staff for any permanent damage) for ALL repairs on glasses not initially dispensed by Gee Eye Care will also be required before any service is initiated.
#SiennaEyeDoc

“Freedom Week”

Posted on by
Reply

IMG_1109Last week, my team and I entered into what we called “Freedom Week.”  Yes, it was a week before July 4th but I did not want to tarnish or make light of what the actual meaning of Independence Day was for our Nation.  We simply decided it was a good time to do what we did and here are the results of it.

If you go back to my prior blog post about insurance this may make a lot more sense. Basically, I decided to let my team know there is freedom without insurance and that our patients are more free when there is no insurance.  What did we do?  If you didn’t visit with us last week, here’s how it went:

  • we verified no insurance at all the entire week
  • I conducted myself as I usually would by providing the best care and judgements for my patients
  • at the end of the examination, patients were presented with the table of “allowables”
  • patients were informed of what the insurance would normally reimburse for the services that were provided
  • patients were given the opportunity to pay whatever they thought the services were worth–any or no amount, no pressure, no questions asked

So much effort (sometimes unnecessary effort) is given toward insurance.  The patient is told one thing by the insurance or their HR director, our office staff spends time verifying and getting authorizations that (again, may be accurate or terribly inaccurate) and we ultimately have to file these claims.  Mind you, I stated “effort” not money, it’s resources, efforts that could be reallocated toward taking better care of you as a patient.  Less confusion, less angst, less conflict and more concentration on your problem, devoted time to your care and personalized service.

We are not going to abandon insurance.  But think about the world without it.  Would it be possible?

 

#SiennaEyeDoc

in·sur·ance (why?)

Posted on by
Reply

You have to admit, whenever you visit a healthcare facility the word “insurance” is always in the back of your mind.  I mean really, it’s on the mind of the staff, the patient and usually the doctor.  It is the definition of “the elephant in the room” until someone breaks the silence.  But why?  Why do we continue to be dictated by such?  Why does a doctor’s decision to do the right thing for a patient have to be determined by whether “insurance covers it?”  Why does a patient have to decide whether to proceed with what has been determined by the doctor to be the best treatment (either procedural or medicinal) because of “insurance coverage?”  Is it fair for a patient to be cynical and have to think, “my doctor is choosing this route of treatment because a.) he/she will profit more because the insurance reimbursement is more than the other route? or b.) “does my insurance even cover that?”  There was a simplier time you know.

It begs the question, why is health insurance like this?  Automobile insurance does not cover maintenance, oil changes, tires purchases, etc.  They cover accidents, they help fix stuff, yes they have deductibles as well.  Home insurance is the same, it does not cover maintenance like landscaping, heaven-forbid water, electricity and gas bills.  It covers catatrophe, theft, but what else?  Oh, yes, they have deductibles also.  Why is health insurance perceived to cover everything needed for maintenance?

 
This thought took me to the good ‘ol Webster’s Dictionary of “insurance” which states:

Definition of insurance

1  a : the business of insuring persons or property
    b : coverage by contract whereby one party undertakes to indemnify or guarantee
         another against loss by a specified contingency or peril
    c : the sum for which something is insured

2: a means of guaranteeing protection or safety 

  • The contract is your insurance against price changes.
  • Frequent hand washing is good insurance against the common cold.

Well, call us crazy but we are going to be doing a few things differently this week….I’ll be back next week with a summary of how things went.

#SiennaEyeDoc

“Insurance.” Merriam-Webster.com, Merriam-Webster, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insurance. Accessed 25 June 2018.

The office is Closed! Why???

Posted on by
2

In life there are experiences that can’t be replaced, replicated or overlooked. That being said, the office has been closed a few days the past two weeks as a result of the World Series. I wanted to write an open letter explaining why and apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused.

Imagine a young boy growing up playing baseball, fond memories with his dad playing catch & trying to improve his game. Some memories that many would tell about him throwing a ball before he even remembered and shortly after learning to walk at a young age. Life, career choices took him a different direction but the love of the “game” has always been there. Now grown and making a living that same boy, a young professional, vowed he would purchase season tickets at the first chance he had to afford them, starting with only one in the outfield on a mini-season and then two behind the dugout a few years later—so that that father of his could experience the “game” with him. At one time attending every home game played, all 81.

Privileged to go to Spring Training with his father and mother, this tradition continues to this day, every year in March for 1 week. Privileged to visit every ballpark in all of Major League Baseball—31 (+1 new Yankee Stadium also). Privileged to see a miracle World Series run in 2005 only to be swept by the other team. Privileged to attend two Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies again all with his mother and father. Privileged to be associated with and serve the team he grew up cheering for as a member of the Astros’ Buddies.

That’s me. Your doctor by day but son, and now father, by night. I don’t get too personal about stuff in the public but I felt compelled to make a statement because I’m not just closing the doors for a few days of leisure (frankly it’s a lot of work) but I’m closing for the experience to do this with my mother and father, wife and son. I want my son to have these memories recited to him when he grows up.

This World Series run is emotional and much like the “game” it has its ups and downs. I wish I could have predicted that we would be where we are now (actually not really because it wouldn’t be the same) as to not have to reschedule and inconvenience patients but an opportunity like this doesn’t come around very often. Thank you for understanding and Go Astros!

We will be closed Tuesday, October 31st through Thursday, November 2nd as we travel to Los Angeles and reopen on Friday to regular business hours. You can reach Dr. Gee anytime via email or text.  DrGee@GeeEyeCare.com or 281.778.9912 (feel free to text)

I was wrong, I’m sorry…

Posted on by
Reply

…I don’t ‘sponsor,’ I ‘support’

If I was ever wrong, then I stand corrected especially now. If I ever said that I ‘sponsored’ an event—I was wrong, evidently. My efforts in the community are to ‘support,’ events, organizations, individuals, in anything I put pen to check.

I want to make it very clear that the efforts that I contribute to are because I believe in them and what they stand for, NOT for marketing/advertising. As a matter of fact we have a hashtag (#CommunityMatters) in the office and that’s what it is all about.

As a business person it’s a fine line on how this is viewed, both by myself and by the public. Those that are out there working hard to get sponsorship money from other establishments may take heed of this, for me it is not about ROI (return on investment) but merely just giving back. You know it’s not always about business. I have to make the right decisions based on financials but I budget for the major schools in our community and it’s usually flexible but the thought, “what am I going to get out of this?” rarely ever crosses my mind.  Rather, whether it fits in the budget, who is asking (whether a patient or just a cold call) and of course value (how is the money going to be used) all are considered more heavily.

I opened the office in 2007 and also dropped a stake in the ground in Waters Lake of Sienna Plantation to build a home. I wanted a place to call home, not just a house. I wanted to be a part of the community. As a result, I’ve been around to see two elementary schools develop, a high school and soon to be another middle school. I’ve supported all of them and intend to do the same for the up and coming. I remember when Ridge Point, in its infancy came to ask for assistance with their band and athletics programs. I’m honored that I was asked and even more honored to be able to participate. I am honored that many have remembered that and continue to give me the opportunity. Fast forward to 2017, 10 years later, we were fortunate enough to be able to move the office to an updated and larger location. One thing for sure, #CommunityMatters is even more important and I will not back down from supporting community efforts.

So, while I’ve probably been using the incorrect word all these years, I stand corrected, the intent has ALWAYS been to support the community that I live and am a part of.

 

#SiennaEyeDoc

Coming soon….Tiffany & Co.

Posted on by
Reply

I took a departure from this blog while we got settled into our new space but in the move we decided to discontinue our business with the Tiffany & Co. frame line, actually, their parent company. I’ll be posting something soon as I’m re-reading it and proofing it. You’ll not want to miss this one. Hang tight!  Here’s a preview…..

 

Screen Shot 2017-07-13 at 9.03.01 AM

Surprise, surprise, surprise!

Posted on by
Reply

Now, I know this might bring back some memories.  It’s been a little bit since I last entered a post.  There’s a good reason for it, lately, we’ve been all consumed with taking care of patients and on the side getting everything in line for our move into the new location.  I, my architect, my contractors have encountered a few surprises along the way.  That being said, we can’t wait for you to see the new space!

Surprise, if you had been following the progress of this project you probably noticed that we were flying along until mid-February.  Things came to a screeching halt then when we ran into the famous “Missouri City permitting process.”  The architect drew up the plans, they were signed off by the City and the contractor built according to the approved/signed drawings.  Still, they seemed to have changed their mind about something and we were at their mercy until they approved a new set of drawings–although we built according to their original approved drawings.

Surprise, we may actually open the location without our “Gee Eye Care” exterior sign.  Sienna Plantation approved our sign in a matter of days.  The City of Missouri City has still yet to approve it.  It was submitted at the end of March.  We’ll keep our fingers crossed!

Surprise!  We have a few for you, more pleasant ones once we open!  Stay tuned here or on Facebook (facebook.com/GeeEyeSienna) and Twitter/Instagram (@GeeEyeCare).  I hope you all are as excited as we are!

#SiennaEyeDoc

 

 

AWP—hummm???

Posted on by
Reply

Average Wholesale Price (AWP) is often referred to as the wholesale price of medications.

That said, I do not use this platform to complain.  It is just not right to do.  I have always been of the thought that complaining does not do anything to help the situation and if you do not do anything to fix it, you are just complaining.  I’m here to state the facts.  Here’s the deal, sometimes a person needs medication and medications have a purpose but due to the changing environment of the insurance world medications are getting more and more difficult to obtain because of cost. This is the old “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” dilemma.  Some might say that pharmaceutical companies are raising their prices but for everyone that says that some are also blaming the insurance companies for increasing deductibles and formulary tiers.  That’s just one side that you, the patient, sees and we are very empathetic about it.  I’m here to shed some light on what we are going through in the office when I prescribe a medication.

When I choose to prescribe a medication it is because it is what is indicated by the condition presented in front of me.  We have electronic prescribing so it is immediately transmitted to the pharmacy to help get efficient fulfillment of your medication.  During this transaction, your insurance (if applicable) will be verified and if it is covered you are told what your copay will be depending on what tier it falls.  However, if you have an deductible that has not been met then, just like any insurance, you are subjected to whatever the cost will be out of pocket.  We usually get a phone for this and I am usually asked to change the medication, of course, to my second choice (which is called my ‘second choice’ for a reason).  If your insurance decides it needs further justification they may ask for us to complete a prior authorization (PA) –which is simply another hoop to jump through, that we do because we want you to get your medications.  Often times it is unnecessary, it will come back with a statement that the medication I thought was best for you initially is now being requested by the insurance company (who has not evaluated you–but asked for your diagnosis) thinks that the other medication would be better for you.  In the end who wins?  The better question is who loses?

Just to recap:

  1. the patient does not have their medication OR the patient has decided to just pay for it
  2. the doctor has now had to succumb to the forces of the insurance company to save the patient from the above happening
  3. time has now passed that may have allowed the condition to exacerbate
  4. resources have been used, office staff, patient time in called both pharmacy and office, sometimes the insurance

What if you knew the AWP???  What if the AWP was less or minimally more than your copay?  What if you were able to obtain the medication I prescribed, what I thought was best for you, immediately without having to deal with the difficulties described above?

#SiennaEyeDoc