In early July, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the proposed 2027 rule, and the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society (OOSS) collected formal comments from the ophthalmic community and prepared a draft, submitted to CMS on behalf of OOSS, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), the American Society of Retina Specialists, and Society for Excellence in Eyecare. (See the July edition of OASC’s Washington Watch by Mike Romansky, JD, for more information about the proposed 2027 rule.)
OOSS Symposium Luncheon
The 2026 OOSS Symposium on October 10 in New Orleans is a great opportunity for ophthalmic ASC leaders to strengthen their organizations’ clinical, operational, and financial performance. Whether you are a physician-owner, administrator, director of nursing, or industry partner, gain actionable insights, prepare for the future, and connect with leaders shaping ophthalmic ambulatory surgery.
The event begins with a networking buffet lunch at 11:15 AM, followed by the educational program from 11:30 AM to 1:15 PM. Attendees will receive the latest updates on OOSS strategic priorities, critical Washington reimbursement and regulatory developments, innovative strategies for integrating retina services into the ASC, and an expert physician panel discussing ASC ownership, valuation, succession planning, and the future of physician ownership. The program will also feature the unveiling of new OOSS member-exclusive resources.
Register at OOSS.org. Limited seats are available.
OOSS Partner Spotlight
Members of OOSS are always seeking opportunities to take their clinical and business performance to the next level. Working with a group purchasing organization (GPO) that specializes in ophthalmology is a strategic tool to optimize profit and control costs. I asked EyeProGPO to provide an overview of how the GPO might help your ASCs achieve their optimal performance:
Empowering Ophthalmic ASCs With Specialized Cost-Savings and Strategic Purchasing
By EyeProGPO CEO Phil Meyer
Controlling costs in an ophthalmic ASC without compromising quality or patient outcomes is essential for long-term success. Rising expenses for surgical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and equipment—coupled with reimbursement pressures—make efficient procurement a critical driver of profitability. Successful ophthalmic ASCs leverage aggregated purchasing power through GPOs to secure meaningful discounts, streamline operations, and reinvest savings into advanced technology and staff. As the first and only ophthalmology-focused GPO covering all classes of trade, EyeProGPO stands out by delivering tailored solutions that address the unique needs of eyecare providers.
Founded in 2021, EyeProGPO has grown to serve more than 8,300 members, including ASCs, physician practices, hospitals, optical shops, and teaching institutions nationwide. Membership is free, and no purchase obligations or minimums are required. The organization generates revenue through administrative fees from vendors, allowing EyeProGPO to focus exclusively on ophthalmology, negotiating favorable contracts that reflect the specialized volume and preferences of its members.
The Critical Role of Cost Savings
The ophthalmic ASC comes with inherent efficiencies (lower overhead than hospital outpatient departments and higher patient satisfaction, but supply chain costs can erode margins. Pharmaceuticals alone, especially in retina care, represent a significant expense. By joining a specialized GPO like EyeProGPO, ASCs gain access to prenegotiated pricing that smaller independent facilities typically cannot achieve on their own. This collective bargaining power helps standardize products where appropriate, reduces inventory variation, and improves budgeting predictability.
EyeProGPO’s portfolio covers a comprehensive range of product categories that encompasses the full spectrum of ophthalmic subspecialties, including cataract, retina, glaucoma, and oculoplastics. EyeProGPO maintains strong relationships with leading vendors including Bausch + Lomb, Ambler, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Alcon, Lumibird, Corza, BioTissue, Iridex, Sight Sciences, Topcon, and many others specializing in ophthalmology solutions, to ensure members have access to high-quality, innovative products at competitive prices,
On July 1, EyeProGPO acquired another ophthalmic GPO that focused primarily on physicians’ offices—a move that expanded EyeProGPO ’s membership base and product offerings.
In addition to contracts, EyeProGPO offers workflow optimization tools, educational resources, and dedicated support from an experienced ophthalmology team. Members benefit from an intuitive member portal, data-driven insights, clinical expertise, advisory services, and opportunities for networking at conferences like ASCRS and AAO.
In an era of continued margin compression, partnering with a specialized GPO is no longer optional—it is a strategic imperative. By leveraging collective volume in the focused ophthalmic marketplace, EyeProGPO enables ASCs, practices, and hospitals to strengthen their financial performance while continuing to deliver the highest standard of patient care.
As the organization continues its trajectory toward serving more than 10,000 members, EyeProGPO remains committed to innovation in the GPO space, ensuring that ophthalmic providers can focus on what matters most: restoring and protecting vision.
