RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—

VSP Global has introduced Premier, a voluntary initiative for eyecare providers that combines various rewards programs throughout all of its various lines of business for the first time, providing benefits to both VSP members and VSP providers, according to the company. The company describes the program as a means of improving patient acquisition and retention for the providers in its network.
 
“Premier is an innovative way to provide a high value experience with financial benefits for both VSP members and VSP doctors who choose to participate,” said Kate Renwick-Espinosa, chief marketing officer of VSP Global, who stressed that the initiative is completely voluntary. “Starting in January, VSP members get an extra $20 to spend on Altair or Marchon frames. Also, qualifying practices that are on the path to Premier get their typical reimbursement for the higher allowance and $10 savings on every Marchon and Altair frame,” Renwick-Espinosa told VMail.
 
Benefits also include 40 percent discounts on the purchase of new Marchon and Altair frame collections, “more online visibility” within VSP’s provider search page, a suite of marketing services, offers from Eyefinity, a Premier annual meeting, and “industry partner benefits” being rolled out. “A lot of providers asked for more marketing support,” said Renwick-Espinosa, so VSP created “My Marketing Team” to offer exclusive promotions and social media content. “We will add more and more marketing features over time,” she said.
 
“This integrated effort is the first time that VSP Global has created a program to leverage all of our lines of business to pass the savings on to both our covered lives and network providers,” said Steve Wright, senior vice president of the Americas for Marchon.
 
VSP providers reach Premier status by achieving specific criteria, accruing benefits along the way. The four targets providers must achieve in order to reach Premier status are: 1) Annual sales of $25,000 of Marchon or Altair frames for a single location with two doctors or less, or $50,000 in annual sales of these two VSP-owned frame lines for all other locations. 2) Annual sales of 200 pairs of Unity lenses from the VSP Optics Group. 3) Meeting eye health management criteria and demonstrating preventative care by submitting at least 5 percent of WellVision exam claims with one of four conditions—diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, hypertension and high cholesterol. And 4) installing a retinal imaging machine.
 
While Premier status is accomplished when sales of $25,000 are reached in a 12-month period, incremental benefit levels can be achieved along the way. For example, the extra $10 goes into effect when the practice reaches $20,000 worth of Marchon or Altair frames purchased within a 12-month period, with those 12 months beginning on a rolling basis for each provider rather than being limited to a calendar year.
 
Between now and Jan. 1, 2014, Premier benefits are being rolled out in phases, and VSP is already inviting providers to begin their “Path to Premier.” The 40 percent discount is valid through 2013 on up to three new Marchon and Altair collections with a 25-piece minimum per collection. The additional $10 for each Marchon or Altair frame sold is available on VSP Signature and Choice claims.
 
Eyecare professionals can learn more from their VSP Global sales representative, by emailing PathToPremier@VSP.com, or by visiting the Path to Premier page on the VSP Global website.
 
VSP Global includes not-for-profit vision benefits and services company, VSP Vision Care, with 59 million members; manufacturer, designer and distributor of eyewear and sunwear, Marchon Eyewear; practice management and electronic health records software and technology solutions company, Eyefinity; and VSP Optics Group, provider of Unity Performance Optics products.