Buying Groups
When making purchases for your practice, you should highly consider joining a buying group. A buying group’s membership strength gives you immediate access to discounts and rebates from a broad selection of product and service vendors that you might not be able to obtain on your own.
Here are some things to consider when joining a buying group:
Range of vendor selection.
Volume incentive programs or additional savings and rebate programs.
Fee structure and straightforward billing procedures.
Helpful customer service and consultants.
Many resources to help you with running a business.
FAQs
What is an ophthalmic buying group?
An ophthalmic buying group consists of a group of independent eye care professionals — optometrists, opticians and ophthalmologists — who join together to purchase products and services so that the best prices in the industry are secured.
Who can join an ophthalmic buying group?
Any independent practicing optometrist, ophthalmologist or optician can enroll.
Why should a new graduate or long-practicing doctor of optometry join a buying group?
By becoming a member of a buying group, you will have immediate access to a complete vendor selection, discount and rebate programs, consolidated billing and many membership benefits that assist you in creating and operating a successful practice.
What should a new graduate or long-practicing OD look for in a buying group?
When selecting a buying group, a new graduate or seasoned doctor of optometry should consider these factors:
Vendor selection: What vendors will the new graduate use or does the seasoned optometrist use in the practice?
Pricing, discounts and fee structure: Compare and determine which buying group will provide the overall maximum discount benefit to the practice.
Billing Procedures: Make sure the buying group you select has billing options that are aligned with your preferences. For example, do you prefer to receive individual statements from each vendor or a single consolidated bill that aggregates all your purchases into one statement.
Membership benefits: The volume incentive programs, continuing education seminars, customer service, online ordering, and practice management and networking tools offered.
What tips would you recommend to someone who is researching buying groups?
Be sure to understand the fees associated to the buying group you select.
Check any contracts that require dollars from your practice to access discounts.
Ask for a vendor listing by product category.
Ask about incentive programs and membership benefits.
Ask if the group passes on the fully negotiated discount.
Ask how the buying group supports your profession.
Is there a membership fee to join a buying group?
Enrollment is free for most buying groups. Be sure to ask because some buying groups require you to be nominated in order to become a member, or require you to commit to a minimum monthly purchase volume.
COA's Preferred Partner
Professional Eye Care Associates of America (PECAA)
Telephone: (800) 959-2020 | E-mail: memberservices@hea2020.com | Website: www.pecaa.com
PECAA is the COA’s Preferred Business and Practice Solutions Partner, and has provided over $13 million in non-dues revenue support to date. In 2021, PECAA and HEA joined forces to create the nation’s largest community of independent eye care professionals. With more than 12,000 members nationwide and 250+ vendor partners, PECAA provides a comprehensive array of services and solutions encompassing the best of the buying group and alliance business models. Combining all the peer networking, staff training, advisory services and best-in-class purchasing programs of an alliance with the broad array of vendor partners and consolidated billing efficiencies of a buying group, PECAA's suite of services is a game-changer for independents, with benefits not available through any other group. An PECAA powered practice gives you across-the-board best pricing, rebates and ‘members only’ programs, immediate access to the largest choice of product and business vendors, and CE opportunities throughout the year. One of the biggest advantages of PECAA membership is that independents now have access to two industry-best programs through one partner: PECAA Max and HEA Advantage. Tap into the buying power, solutions and educational resources that only PECAA can provide.