Fee survey shows continued variability in optometry

According to surveys of optometrists conducted by “Medicare Coding” columnist Charles B. Brownlow, OD, FAAO, fees and conversion factors continue to vary across a broad range.

Brownlow presents data from four fee surveys he conducted between 2005 and 2012 in the October print edition of Primary Care Optometry News.

“The great range of fees is healthy, of course, indicating no collusion or fee setting among the doctors,” he said, “but it may also indicate a wide range of sophistication with respect to the definitions of codes.”

The average conversion factor for optometrists was 26% higher than Medicare, while the average fees for MDs were 77% above Medicare and 29% above ODs’ average fees, according to Brownlow’s 2012 survey.

It is also interesting to note that the average conversion factor for optometrists was nearly identical in 2012, 2010, 2007 and 2005, he said.

“Based on the data across these four surveys spanning 7 years, one would expect the wide range to continue into the future,” Brownlow concluded, “unless there are dramatic changes in optometrists’ understanding of the value of eye care services or the development of new payment mechanisms in the health care system.”