LCA-Vision Reports Second Quarter Financi...(ity of pricing. We are activel...),Health

"We are actively adapting to the current economic reality by becoming more nimble and flexible in our operations and have established company-wide business priorities in an effort to improve procedure volume, reduce costs and conserve cash," Straus added. "For example, we are implementing strategies to increase patient acquisition through partnering programs such as our new marketing relationship with one of the world's largest airlines, which will announce our partnership next week, joining the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, or IHRSA, as an associate member with its 9,750 member facilities, and by capitalizing on our relationships with health and vision plans that reduce the out-of-pocket cost to the patient - a leading factor in the decision-making process. We also are addressing patient candidacy through our internally developed second-opinion screening tools approved by our Medical Advisory Board, and are energizing our LCA-Vision/LasikPlus(R) staff to become more results-oriented through training and increasing accountability.

"Given the current economic environment, we plan to reduce marketing spending in the third quarter to approximately $6 million. Among our specific programs, we intend to use our segmentation research and integrated media programs in 14 top-producing LasikPlus((R)) markets. We also are working to upgrade our LasikPlus((R)) website through improved navigation and better integration with local center websites to allow for easier appointment scheduling and other patient-friendly capabilities. In addition to Internet and more traditional advertising, we will be expanding into various forms of social media in test markets in the third quarter, which include endorsements and ambassadors that will help to better establish our LasikPlus((R)) brand," he added.

LCA-Vision's Chief Financial Offic
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