Q. How much will it cost to cover my Fill-In OD patient slots?
A. The professional fees that are charged for your fill-in requests are unique bookings that are tailored to your specific needs.
The fee for Fill-in services are base rated at $59.00 per hour. The cost per hour is calculated on each individual day There is an increased cost per hour for evening, weekend and holiday week hours, or combinations thereof. There is an overage for volume of exams over 2 per hour plus check ups. There is a discount for multiple booking days of between 5 and 20% off for between 2 and 21 or more booked days within a specific contracted period. There is a 10% surcharge for emergency/urgent replacement coverage within 1 week of the booked date. There is a mileage charge of the greater of $.50 per mile or $.50 per minute from the Fill-In OD's base office in Arlington Heights to your office location. There is a charge of $53. for an ancillary license for multiple days of coverage. The requirement for an ancillary license is abolished as of January 1, 2010. The charge for Fill-in bookings until then will be charged, but rebated in full upon any second booking you choose to contract the Fill-in OD for at any time in the future.
Q. How do I get an estimate for the coverage that I need for my Fill-in OD coverage?
A. 1) On the "Contact Us" page, you can email the specific date requests, time of day, number of hours needed, the average number of exams booked and the address where the Fill-In serviced will be rendered. Within 24 hours, an itemized quote will be returned for your review. You may revise the days, hours and other factors that determine the final estimated cost and a revised quote will be forwarded.
2) You may also print the "Practice Data Page" and return it by toll free fax to (866) 381-3220.
Q. Why must I cover the cost of an ancillary license?
A The rate per hour quoted covers optometric services to your patients and staff. The ancillary license is required by law and can not be waived until the law changes on January 1, 2010. This cost will be rebated in full on a future booking of the Fill-In OD.
Q. The doctor I employ that you will be substituting for does not get paid for the mileage to and from his position. Why is there a mileage charge for fill-in work?
A. The Fill-In OD is an "Independent Contractor", NOT an employee. Your tax entity receives a direct tax deduction for all contracted ancillary services from an outside provider. The Fill-In OD does not receive a mileage tax deduction as an "Independent Contractor" and is taxed on all fees received for any and all Fill-in services provided to your practice. In essence, all the Fill-in OD has is "time" offered to and contracted by your practice; which also includes the time it takes to get from his practice to yours, wear and tear on the transporting vehicle and additional commercial automobile insurance and tolls while en route.