In-office membership plans 101: Increasing patient loyalty

What are in-office membership plans? 

An in-office membership plan is a subscription-based program in which patients pay a monthly or annual fee in exchange for a package of vision benefits which may include eye exams, contact lens exams, dry eye, and myopia management, as well as discounts on prescription and non-prescription eyewear and contacts. 

By establishing a predictable monthly or annual cost, in-office membership plans allow patients to more effectively budget for eyecare expenses, improving patient retention and loyalty. Without the concern of surprise expenses, patients are more likely to seek out regular preventative care, promoting care continuity and better overall eye health.  

What does implementation look like? 

For many practices, the resources required to develop a subscription package and track payments is an overwhelming barrier to implementing in-office membership plans in their practice.  

VisionHQ, AOAExcel®’s endorsed partner, streamlines the administration of membership plans by automating billing, renewals, and patient benefit tracking. VisionHQ also provides marketing tools and team training to help practices promote the plans to their patients. With step-by-step guidance and regular check-ins, VisionHQ makes implementation simple for staff so they can focus on providing quality patient care.  

How do I know if an in-office membership plan is a good fit for my practice? 

In-office membership plans are excellent tools to help establish a predictable revenue stream and keep vision care accessible for patients, but they aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution for all practices. Determining if membership plans are a good fit for your practice requires taking a careful look at your patient base and your goals. Practices that see a significant population of cash-pay and Medicare patients often find that membership plans are strategic assets that enhance patient relationships. AOA members can speak with an expert from VisionHQ to analyze their patient demographics and determine if in-office membership plans may be the right fit for their practices.