ABB Optical, Superior Vision deal off

Coral Springs, FL-ABB Optical Group has backed out of a deal with Superior Vision, citing concerns over Superior’s new contact lens program-and independent optometrists’ response to it.

Superior Vision created a Web portal for members to order elective contact lenses, and ABB was the source from which the contact lenses would be fulfilled. Superior Vision recently contacted its providers to inform them of this new contact lens program and fee schedule that was scheduled to begin May 1. The new program would no longer allow independent ODs to sell contact lenses covered by Superior Vision directly to those patients, instead going through the company, which would bill and send the contacts directly to the patient. The announcement was met with pushback.

In a statement to Optometry Times, ABB Optical said, “We never agreed to, authorized or approved what was sent from Superior Vision. We value our loyal customers and their perspective. We heard their comments and have evaluated them along with other business considerations. At this time, ABB Optical will not be moving forward with the fulfillment agreement with Superior Vision that was outlined in those materials.”

In a statement, Superior Vision told Optometry Times it “has developed a new online contact lens ordering system through which independent providers can easily order elective contact lenses for Superior Vision members. The ordering system is for the covered benefit, and enables real-time interaction with Superior’s claims system for benefit calculations. This program aims to promote competitive pricing and ease-of-use to help providers retain Superior Vision members within their practices.”

“Based on feedback from our providers regarding the contact lens program, we are taking a step back to evaluate the components. The future of the contact lens program will be communicated soon to our provider partners,” Superior Vision stated.