UECP's three P's: Purchasing Power with Preferred vendors
WHY WOULD I WANT TO BELONG TO UECP?
UECP provides many advantages that may not be possible for you to obtain on your own. While your individual purchasing power with ophthalmic vendors is limited, as a member of UECP, you will receive discounts that are based on the purchasing power of the entire group.
As an independent practitioner you will be able to purchase lab services, frames, and other ophthalmic related supplies from the industry's leading ophthalmic vendors at competitive discounts. Membership is FREE – it doesn't cost anything to join (with use of our participating vendors/discount groups).
AM I ALLOWED TO HAVE BOTH A DIRECT ACCOUNT AND BENEFIT AS A UECP MEMBER WITH THE SAME VENDOR?
Most vendors require that you to choose one account, so you will need to decide if you wish to buy: as a member of UECP, through a buying group or direct. Should you decide to participate as member of UECP you will still make your purchases directly with the vendor and be billed directly from the vendor. The only difference will be the amount of discount you receive from UECP's Preferred Vendor Program, in many cases, these will be greater than any amounts you receive from most buying groups.
DOES MY SALES REPRESENTATIVE STILL GET CREDIT FOR ANY PURCHASES I MAKE AS A UECP MEMBER?
Yes, you can order from your sales representative or directly from the company. Just be sure to inform your sales rep that you are a member of UECP to ensure your discounts.
UECP'S PREFERRED VENDOR PROGRAM VS. BUYING GROUPS
As one of the largest expenses to any practice, most will agree that choosing a lab requires a careful review. While UECP does not control nor dictate where its members purchase their lab
services, most of UECP's members purchase between two of America's largest laboratories, ELOA and Hoya. Under UECP's Preferred Vendor Program, these laboratories offer UECP members the very best in lens materials, laboratory services, pricing, discounts and programs available.
UECP partners with its preferred vendors. Offering too many labs, frame, and contact lens vendors dilutes buying power for members and lost profits to the vendors – everyone loses! By selecting those vendors utilized by the members increases more business for the vendors and more purchasing power to the members without sacrificing quality for patients.