Utilizing chair cost to evaluate health plan contracts

The AOA Chair Cost Calculator is an interactive feature on the AOA Web site “Evaluating a Plan/Making a Business Decision” page (www.aoa.org/x9268.xml). It is designed to help an optometrist determine how much an ”average” patient visit costs. Data on the number of patients seen each year and various types of expenses are entered in appropriate windows. A cost figure is automatically calculated and appears in the bottom window. The cost information can then be used to evaluate insurance plan participation. Practitioners can vary the amounts entered in any category to determine how increases or reductions in expense might impact total chair cost. AOA members can log onto the Chair Cost Calculator directly at www.aoa.org/x9619.xml.