Sponsoring a health insurance plan in your practice may not be as expensive as you think
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Release Date: 03/30/2026
Sponsoring a health insurance plan in your practice may not be as expensive as you think
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Health insurance is one of the most confusing and frustrating decisions practice owners face. In this episode I sit down with Matt Allen, founder of Iconic Insurance, to break down the real options available to optometric practice owners and their teams. We walk through the three primary approaches to offering coverage including fully funded plans, self funded plans, and reimbursement strategies. Matt explains how each structure works, when they make sense, and why understanding the risk profile of your team can dramatically impact cost and plan design. We also spend time discussing a...
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Tax Strategies to Embrace and Avoid & A Case Study on Where to Look for Errors on Your Tax Return: My Guest Appearance on Eye Own A Business Podcast
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Many optometrists are either leaving money on the table with their tax strategy—or unknowingly pushing the boundaries of tax law. Today’s episode is my guest appearance on Dr. Steve Vargo’s Eye Own a Business Podcast. Steve invited me onto his show to talk about tax planning for optometrists—specifically the strategies practice owners should be embracing right now, the ones they should avoid, and where costly mistakes often show up on tax returns. In our conversation, we walk through several examples of where optometric practice owners tend to be either too conservative...
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How VOSH International is changing global eye care—and how you can be part of it w/ Dr. Vicki Weiss, President of VOSH International
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
In this episode I sit down with Dr. Vicki Weiss, president of VOSH International, to talk about how optometrists can use their clinical skills to create impact far beyond their own practices. We discuss how VOSH has evolved from the traditional short term clinic model into a global organization focused on education, partnership, and strengthening optometric care in low and middle income countries. Dr. Weiss shares how she became involved, what the organization looks like today, and the many ways ODs can contribute through time, talent, and treasure. If you have ever wondered how your work as...
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Chemistry in the practice: why alignment beats authority with Dr. Todd Cohan, Polly Stearns, & Sadie Blair
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Recording live from IDOC Connection in Orlando, I sit down with Dr. Todd Cohan, Sadie Blair, and Polly Stearns from Forsight Vision and Midwest Dry Eye Center to talk about the relationship between vision and execution inside a growing private practice. We go into the dynamic between the owner (visionary) and the operations lead (integrator), and why that chemistry matters more than most doctors realize. We discuss leadership cadence, how they structure weekly meetings, how goals are set and tracked, and what it looks like to invest in developing internal talent. We also unpack the real...
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SNEAK PEEK: How to give patients choices when in the exam lane - The Optometry Success Podcast
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
In this episode, we share how to confidently give patients clear choices in the exam lane without creating confusion or pushback around vision and medical care. We explain how setting expectations early and taking ownership of clear communication builds trust and increases acceptance of follow up visits. We also touch on how to structure your schedule to support shorter, more frequent visits and why giving patients ownership of their decisions improves both the patient experience and practice profitability. Hosted By Adam Cmejla, CFP and Chad Fleming, OD, FAAO Have a question? Submit...
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Why you can't ignore AI as a practice owner (and a beginner's path to using it) with Eugene Shatsman
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Eugene joins me to talk about how artificial intelligence is showing up in optometry and why there’s a growing gap between how patients use AI in their daily lives and how most practices are adopting it. We discuss how this shift is changing patient expectations, what it means for the patient journey, and where practices can use AI to improve engagement, communication, and efficiency—without losing the human element of care. We wrap up with a look at where AI in healthcare is headed and how practice owners can use it intentionally to enhance both patient experience and practice...
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SNEAK PEEK: What is "schedule health" and why should practice owners be measuring it - The Optometry Success Podcasts
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
In this episode, we dive into the critical concept of schedule health and how it drives strategic growth, especially when adding associates. We explore how data-driven insights help us make confident, informed decisions that support sustainable scaling for our practices. Hosted By Adam Cmejla, CFP and Chad Fleming, OD, FAAO Have a question? Submit it Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: Subscribe on Spotify: The Optometry Success Podcast, hosted by Adam Cmejla, CFP and Chad Fleming, OD, FAAO helps private-practice optometrists build profitable, sustainable...
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Getting unstuck from the messy middle of business operations with Mandy Brown
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
Ever feel like you're stuck in the "messy middle" and on the operations "hamster wheel" in your practice? If so, this one's for you. Mandy Brown joins me to talk about operational efficiency and what it really takes to run a well-functioning optometry practice. We discuss the challenges practice owners face with delegation, the importance of hiring the right people, and developing an operational mindset that supports long-term success. Mandy also shares how virtual assistants can play a meaningful role in freeing up time, improving focus, and helping owners work more intentionally on...
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SNEAK PEEK: This is why you're losing money with vision plans - The Optometry Success Podcast
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
In this episode, we explore how we can shift from traditional scopes of practice to a more intentional, patient-centric approach. We dive into embracing managed vision care plans, redefining our billing practices, and using strategic communication to better serve our patients. Along the way, we share actionable insights to improve practice efficiency and patient outcomes as optometry continues to evolve. Hosted By Adam Cmejla, CFP and Chad Fleming, OD, FAAO Have a question? Submit it Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: Subscribe on Spotify: The Optometry Success...
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Design tips to maximize the patient experience (and thus your profitability) with Bill Gerber
20/20 MONEY: The Business of Optometry
You know optical design is important, but you also know it's complicated. Where do you begin? How much should you spend? What should you focus on? On this episode, my guest on today’s show is Bill Gerber, founder and CEO of the Optical Marketing Group. Bill joins me to talk about the role practice design plays in patient experience and overall financial performance. We discuss how thoughtful design can influence capture rates, why understanding your ideal patient avatar matters, and how to recognize when your space needs a refresh. Bill also shares common design pitfalls, how...
info_outlineHealth insurance is one of the most confusing and frustrating decisions practice owners face. In this episode I sit down with Matt Allen, founder of Iconic Insurance, to break down the real options available to optometric practice owners and their teams. We walk through the three primary approaches to offering coverage including fully funded plans, self funded plans, and reimbursement strategies. Matt explains how each structure works, when they make sense, and why understanding the risk profile of your team can dramatically impact cost and plan design.
We also spend time discussing a second scenario many practice owners eventually face: the gap between selling a practice and becoming eligible for Medicare. Matt shares how the Affordable Care Act marketplace works, how income planning can impact premium subsidies, and why network design is one of the most overlooked risks when transitioning from employer coverage to individual plans. If you have ever felt overwhelmed trying to navigate health insurance decisions for yourself or your team, this episode will give you a clearer framework for evaluating your options.
Resources:
Download the Practice Owner's Financial Toolkit
20/20 Money Ultimate Financial Success Masterclass
Check out Adam's new book: How to Buy an Optometry Practice
Connect with Matt Allen on LinkedIn