--- title: Should I Order Frames for Patient Approval? description: If you are going to place frame orders for patients to view, you’ll need a written procedure that everyone on your staff knows and follows. This post is courtesy of Darla Shewmaker and our friends at WaveRFID. image: https://waverfid.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Patient-Approval-1-1080x628.png --- [![Blog Logo 2.png](https://blog.framesdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Frames%20Data%20Logos/Blog%20Logo%202.png?width=797&name=Blog%20Logo%202.png "Blog Logo 2.png")](https://blog.framesdata.com) - [Home](https://blog.framesdata.com) - [About Us](https://info.framesdata.com/about-us) - [Contact Us](http://www.framesdata.com/support/contact-us) - [Technical Support](http://www.framesdata.com/support) [![Go to FramesData.com](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2250177/310caf41-5139-4b07-85fa-778e6c9ea9d7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2250177/310caf41-5139-4b07-85fa-778e6c9ea9d7) Search Content Title Description < Previous page Next page > Subscribe ### Subscribe to Email Updates Select Topics - [Frame Brands (167)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/frame-brands) - [News, Events, and More (161)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/news-events-and-more) - [My Frame Gallery (109)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/my-frame-gallery) - [Using Frames Data (106)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/using-frames-data) - [Optical Marketing (19)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/optical-marketing) - [My Frame Gallery Practice Profiles (15)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/my-frame-gallery-practice-profiles) - [My Frame Gallery Best Practices (13)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/my-frame-gallery-best-practices) - [My Frame Gallery Set-Up (10)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/my-frame-gallery-set-up) - [OfficeMate (6)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/officemate) - [Inventory (3)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/inventory) - [Videos (3)](https://blog.framesdata.com/topic/videos) # Latest Blog Post ## Should I Order Frames for Patient Approval? ![Frames Data](https://blog.framesdata.com/hubfs/Frames%20Data%20Logos/Frames%20Data%20Frames.jpg) by [Frames Data](https://blog.framesdata.com/author/frames-data) on March 30, 2023 at 8:30 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) - - - If you are going to place orders for patients to view (with no commitment for purchase), you’ll need a written procedure that everyone on your staff knows and follows. This post is courtesy of Darla Shewmaker and our friends at [WaveRFID](https://www.waverfid.net/pds/).  ![](https://waverfid.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Patient-Approval-1-1080x628.png) | ### Helpful Hint for My Frame Gallery users: Are you considering implementing a policy for ordering frames for patient approval? Sometimes patients see a frame online that they fall in love with.  In most cases, If you don't have it in stock, you'll be able to substitute a frame that is similar. If the patient really wants that specific frame, consider this idea: Charge a small fee to cover your efforts when ordering frames for a patient.  You can then apply that fee to the patient's final invoice.  That way you can make your customer happy without losing money if they don't purchase. | | --- | One of the setup steps at WaveRFID is defining your workflows. Workflows are the reasons you are placing orders and also the steps that should be taken when that frame arrives. For example, I might have a workflow called “Patient Sale -Ship to Lab”. In this case we would order the frame but ask the vendor to drop ship it directly to the lab. When the invoice arrives and you post it in the software the automation will receive the frame for the correct location and post the sale. It’s one of the ways we help keep inventory accurate.  This setup step always leads to this discussion – **Is it OK for your staff to order frames for patient approval? ** You may call it something different like patient to view, patient to see or trial frames. I have received a broad list of answers to this question. Sometimes the response is – do we do that now? There is always someone on the call that says – YES! If you are going to place orders for patients to view (with no commitment for purchase) you’ll need a written procedure that everyone on your staff knows and follows.    | Interested in an inventory solution that... - Lets you scan your entire inventory in 10 minutes using the latest RFID technology? - Delivers detailed, robust reporting? - Was created by Optical Industry software veterans with decades of experience? [Learn more about WaveRFID...](https://www.waverfid.net/pds/) | [![waveRFID-185](https://blog.framesdata.com/hs-fs/hubfs/waveRFID-185.png?width=200&name=waveRFID-185.png)](https://www.waverfid.net/pds/)   | | --- | --- |   Here are some questions your policy should answer: - Can anyone do it or should this be escalated to a supervisor? - Is there a limit to the number of frames that can be ordered for a single patient? - What happens to the frames that aren’t purchased? Do you send them back or add them to your boards?  - If you send them back will you have to pay restocking fees? This varies by vendor, so you may want to adjust your policy by vendor. - Will the order incur special shipping charges? Again, this varies by vendor.  - Should you charge the patient a small fee that will be applied to their purchase? Once your policy is in place it’s time to measure the results. It would be best to track the number of frames ordered for each patient and by optician. Also, track the result. Did the patient make a purchase? If you find you are ordering a lot of frames you’ll need to ask a bigger question – why doesn’t your inventory reflect what your patients want to purchase? Your inventory should be diverse to reflect your patients and also be dynamic and exciting for your staff to want to sell it. ![](https://waverfid.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/WorkflowStatistics.png "WorkflowStatistics")   About WaveRFID: **WaveRFID is a cloud SAAS software developer created by optical industry veterans** and offering RFID **turn-key solutions** for inventory management, tags and equipment (readers and security portals).Our software products can be used as a standalone system or in cooperation with other POS applications.   WaveRFID recently completed a new Frames Data integration in July 2021. [Learn more about WaveRFID here.](https://www.waverfid.net/pds/) ## Leave a comment ![Frames Data](https://blog.framesdata.com/hubfs/Frames%20Data%20Logos/Frames%20Data%20Frames.jpg) Written by [Frames Data](https://blog.framesdata.com/author/frames-data) Frames Data has provided frame information to eye care professionals since 1968. Today, Frames Data features tens of thousands of frames from over 600 of the world's most recognizable brands. Written by Author ### Related posts [![Visit Frames Data at Vision Expo 2026](https://blog.framesdata.com/hubfs/Booth%20xxxx.png)](https://blog.framesdata.com/frames-data-at-vision-expo-2026) ##### [Visit Frames Data at Vision Expo 2026](https://blog.framesdata.com/frames-data-at-vision-expo-2026) Stop by booth #1177 for demos, specials and a preview of the new My Frame Gallery **location-based inventory display!** ... ![Tom Doyle](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/847f3e676cf131b483c37cecdaac7120) By [Tom Doyle](https://blog.framesdata.com/frames-data-at-vision-expo-2026/author/tom-doyle) - March 4, 2026 [Read More](https://blog.framesdata.com/frames-data-at-vision-expo-2026) [![New Integration: EyePegasus](https://blog.framesdata.com/hubfs/EyepegasusTHUMB.png)](https://blog.framesdata.com/new-integration-eyepegasus) ##### [New Integration: EyePegasus](https://blog.framesdata.com/new-integration-eyepegasus) Newark, NJ – Frames Data, the optical industry's authority on ophthalmic frame information, and EyeTcare, an EHR and... ![Tom Doyle](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/847f3e676cf131b483c37cecdaac7120) By [Tom Doyle](https://blog.framesdata.com/new-integration-eyepegasus/author/tom-doyle) - November 19, 2025 [Read More](https://blog.framesdata.com/new-integration-eyepegasus) [![Consumer survey reveals ways to appeal to today's optical patients](https://blog.framesdata.com/hubfs/Yes%20(1).png)](https://blog.framesdata.com/consumer-survey-reveals-ways-to-attract-and-retain-patients) ##### [Consumer survey reveals ways to appeal to today's optical patients](https://blog.framesdata.com/consumer-survey-reveals-ways-to-attract-and-retain-patients) Want to attract more patients? Take a look at what consumers said in the results from our first ever consumer survey. This... ![Tom Doyle](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/847f3e676cf131b483c37cecdaac7120) By [Tom Doyle](https://blog.framesdata.com/consumer-survey-reveals-ways-to-attract-and-retain-patients/author/tom-doyle) - October 29, 2025 [Read More](https://blog.framesdata.com/consumer-survey-reveals-ways-to-attract-and-retain-patients) #### Contact Frames Data has provided frame information to eye care professionals since 1968. Includes styles from major frame companies, including **Marchon, Luxottica, Safilo, Marcolin, Tura, Oakley, ProDesign, Europa, Morel, Kenmark, McGee, ClearVision** and many, many more. Software integrations include OfficeMate, CrystalPM, MaximEyes, My Vision Express, Compulink and dozens more. 283-299 Market Street 2 Gateway Center, 4th Floor Newark NJ 07102 Technical Support: 1-800-821-6069 Ext. 1 [techsupport@jobson.com](mailto:techsupport@jobson.com) #### Site map - [Home](https://blog.framesdata.com) - [About Us](https://info.framesdata.com/about-us) - [Contact Us](http://www.framesdata.com/support/contact-us) - [Technical Support](http://www.framesdata.com/support) #### Subscribe to Our Newsletter ### Always be up-to-date with the latest from Frames Data. New frames, how-to posts, ways to manage your frame dispensary and more. Copyright © 2021 Frames Data. All rights reserved. - [Home](https://blog.framesdata.com) - [About Us](https://info.framesdata.com/about-us) - [Contact Us](http://www.framesdata.com/support/contact-us) - [Technical Support](http://www.framesdata.com/support)