Case Study: Florida Optometric Association (FOA) x iTRUST

Case Study: Florida Optometric Association (FOA) x iTRUST

Preface

The Florida Optometric Association (FOA) has long championed the growth and protection of optometry; ensuring every OD has the tools, support, and stability to thrive in an evolving healthcare landscape. Its mission has remained consistent:

  • Attract more members through meaningful value
  • Support members financially by reducing administrative costs
  • Generate revenue to strengthen programs
  • Protect the profession through compliance and advocacy
  • Advance optometry through innovation and collaboration
  • Uphold legal and legislative integrity for all practicing ODs

To achieve these goals, the FOA partnered with iTRUST Optometry EHR & Practice Management, an all-in-one platform built by ODs, for ODs, integrating EHR, billing, messaging, AI tools, scheduling, and compliance features into one connected system.

Background

Many Florida optometrists were struggling with fragmented systems; juggling multiple vendors for patient records, billing, and communication. This created inefficiencies, higher costs, and growing compliance risks.

The FOA recognized that modernizing technology was not just a matter of convenience; it was essential to protecting optometry, saving member funds, and advancing the profession. The goal was to provide members with a cost-effective, fully remote solution that improved efficiency without requiring expensive travel or in-person training.

The Initiative

In 2024, the Florida Optometric Association and iTRUST launched a digital-first member initiative designed around cost savings, value, and legal integrity. The program included:

  • Webinars & On-Demand Demos – Short sessions showing how all-in-one systems can reduce costs, improve compliance, and enhance patient flow.
  • Referral-Share Model – Replacing direct payouts with a shared-value structure that generated association revenue while offering member discounts.
  • Educational Newsletter Features – Highlighting success stories and measurable member results.
  • No-Travel Implementation – Streamlined virtual onboarding and support to eliminate in-person expenses.

This approach aligned perfectly with FOA’s mission to deliver cost-effective, scalable, and legally sound solutions that directly benefit members and strengthen optometry statewide.

Results

Within six months, the collaboration produced measurable impact across Florida practices:

  • Membership Growth: Over 120 Florida ODs attended iTRUST webinars or enrolled in free trials, increasing overall member engagement.
  • Operational Savings: Participating practices reduced administrative overhead by 25–35% on average within three months.
  • Revenue Expansion: The FOA leveraged the referral-share model to generate new association revenue reinvested into education and advocacy.
  • Compliance & Legal Protection: Members benefited from built-in AI-assisted coding, HIPAA security, and documentation tools that aligned with FOA’s legislative and regulatory goals.
  • Professional Advancement: The program positioned Florida ODs as early adopters of next-generation healthcare tech; reinforcing the FOA’s leadership and forward-thinking reputation.

Closing the Loop

The FOA’s collaboration with iTRUST successfully achieved what it set out to do and more:

  • More members joined through accessible value and digital convenience.
  • Member funds were saved through integrated technology and reduced vendor costs.
  • Revenue was generated to fuel continuing education and advocacy programs.
  • Optometry was protected through compliance, innovation, and modernization.
  • The profession advanced, as Florida set a standard for others to follow.
  • Legal and legislative integrity was reinforced, as members adopted systems built for security and accountability.

The same principles that began this partnership growth, protection, and advancement, now define its results. Through shared purpose and smart collaboration, the Florida Optometric Association and iTRUST proved that innovation and preservation can thrive together.

And as the FOA continues its mission to support every OD across the state, this initiative stands as a model; demonstrating how modern technology can strengthen the profession from within, one practice at a time.