SARATOGA, Calif.— VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc., a developer of advanced visual prosthetic devices, said that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has granted transitional pass-through payment status and established a billing code for the implantable miniature telescope under the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System. The new pass-through code, C1840, is effective Oct. 1, 2011 and will enable outpatient facilities to obtain reimbursement for the telescope implant for covered procedures. The telescope implant is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration... Read More

Remarkable optical system that treats central vision blindness caused by end-stage macular degeneration recently received FDA approval. The challenges involved in developing an implantable optical device to give sight back to sufferers of end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are nothing short of immense. Not only must developers understand the disease and create a device that will bring maximum benefit to the patient, there are biocompatibility and sterility issues to address – plus of course the key issue of how to implant the device into the eye itself. But following a clinical... Read More

Spectrum Works With Labs to Form Extensive PPO Base OVERLAND PARK, KS – Working through an extensive network of preferred laboratories, Spectrum Vision Systems, Inc., a two-year-old preferred provider organization (PPO) has built a provider base of 2,300 independent practitioners, giving it the largest PPO provider base in the U.S., according to Paul Disser, chairman of the board, president, and CEO. The organization also currently has 70 contracts with wholesalers, representing 160 locations in 40 states. “We are the only PPO with such depth and breadth of contractual relationships... Read More

Property-casualty agents looking to cross-sell life-health products will do themselves and their clients and prospects a huge favor by focusing on vision care benefits. Vision care, once considered the “stepchild” of the employee benefits family, is that no more. Although it has grown through the years to be considered a much-desired peripheral product, the marketing penetration remains relatively low, thus representing a viable and popular product-service to offer clients and prospects. Especially for younger p-c agents, offering vision care is a door-opening plan which can–and... Read More

by Paul J. Disser CEO, Spectrum Vision Systems Overland Park, Kansas Spread the word. There’s a new generation that is progressive, forward-thinking, and inquisitive about millennium benefits. The age-old “what’s in it for me?” query, while still–as it always will be–at the top of the list of concerns among insurers, agents and brokers, is now often quickly followed by yet another question: “What other innovations can you come up with that we can offer?” In answer, there’s now an exclusive offering, in the form of a significant additional benefit... Read More

How Will We Be Remembered? by Paul J. Disser, Spectrum Vision Systems It has been said that none of us now are what we have been. And for many of us, a combination of hard work and inspiration from the success stories of others may have paid off handsomely. Or, within other scenarios, because of poor decisions some may still be struggling. Yet barring unexpected tragedy – and sometimes even despite it – many will eventually succeed. According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau statistics, there are 280 million people in our great nation. What they all have in common is a need... Read More

The odds are better than 3 to 2 you’re reading this article with the aid of some form of eyewear. Some 150 million Americans wear eyeglasses or contact lenses and thousands of others begin to do so each day. But recent technological advances indicate that many of these people will be able to discard their eyewear, thanks to laser vision correction (LVC) surgery. Further positive news is that LVC surgery has been added to the vision care benefits package by at least one provider, with many more sure to follow. Vision care has long been near the top of the list of voluntary benefits most requested... Read More

Contributed by Paul J. Disser – A Growing Market – Strong Selling Points – Choosing a Provider It’s no secret to savvy insurance agents that vision care is always near the top of the list of benefits most requested by employees, according to the findings of countless surveys. And now, with the addition of laser vision correction (LVC) surgery added to the benefits package on an elective and discount basis, what has been an ever-growing marketplace seems destined to further expand with sales opportunities probably never before envisioned. There are 150 million Americans who... Read More

Coverage for eye laser surgery, on an elective and discount basis, is being offered by Spectrum Benefits Management Corporation, Overland Park, KS, in a coventure with West Texas Preferred Vision Care LLC. Through this new addition to the benefits portfolio, those who are enrolled as vision care members are offered a ten to 25 percent discount on eye care surgery that utilizes the latest proven successful techniques. And, as a needed part of the benefits package, eye laser surgery joins such popular benefits/features as discount offerings for eye exams, frames, and lenses. Vision care benefits,... Read More

Laser Surgery Added To Vision Care Benefits by Paul J. Disser, Spectrum Vision Systems N.A.P.E.S.: Paul, I understand your organization has just added eye laser surgery to the vision care package. What brought this about, and of how much benefit do you see it bringing to enrollment specialists and their clients and prospects? Disser: What brought it about is demand and innovation. Frankly, there hasn’t been much new on the vision care front for the past few years. And, like any astute marketer, we listen to our companies/customers, prospects, and those who are “in the trenches”... Read More