NO SET FEE/NONCOVERED VISION SERVICES.

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View NCGA Bill Details2013-2014 Session
Senate Bill 477 (Public) Filed Wednesday, March 27, 2013
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO PROHIBIT INSURERS AND HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS FROM LIMITING OR FIXING THE FEE AN OPTOMETRIST MAY CHARGE PATIENTS FOR SERVICES OR MATERIALS UNLESS THE SERVICES OR MATERIALS ARE COVERED BY REIMBURSEMENT UNDER THE PLAN OR INSURER CONTRACT WITH THE OPTOMETRIST.
Intro. by Meredith, Newton, Walters.

Status: Ch. SL 2014-43 (Senate Action) (Jun 30 2014)

SOG comments (1):

Long title change

Submitted by wunsche@sog.unc.edu on

The House committee substitute to the 3rd edition amends the act's long title. The previous title was: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO PROHIBIT INSURERS AND HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS FROM LIMITING OR FIXING THE FEE AN OPTOMETRIST MAY CHARGE PATIENTS FOR SERVICES OR MATERIALS UNLESS THE SERVICES OR MATERIALS ARE COVERED BY REIMBURSEMENT UNDER THE PLAN OR INSURER CONTRACT WITH THE OPTOMETRIST, AND TO REQUIRE OPTOMETRISTS TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN DISCLOSURE TO PATIENTS.

Bill History:

S 477/S.L. 2014-43

Bill Summaries:

  • Bill S 477 (2013-2014)
    Summary date: Jul 1 2014 - View Summary

    A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO PROHIBIT INSURERS AND HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS FROM LIMITING OR FIXING THE FEE AN OPTOMETRIST MAY CHARGE PATIENTS FOR SERVICES OR MATERIALS UNLESS THE SERVICES OR MATERIALS ARE COVERED BY REIMBURSEMENT UNDER THE PLAN OR INSURER CONTRACT WITH THE OPTOMETRIST. Enacted June 30, 2014. Effective October 1, 2014.

     
    Health and Human Services, Health, Health Care Facilities and Providers, Health Insurance
    GS 58
  • Bill S 477 (2013-2014)
    Summary date: May 28 2014 - View Summary

    The House committee substitute to the 3rd edition makes the following changes. Deletes the portion of proposed GS 58-50-300 that required optometrists to provide patients with a written disclosure telling the patient that they are under no obligation to purchase vision products from the prescribing provider. Makes conforming changes to the act's long title. Changes the effective date of the act to October 1, 2014 (was, 2013).

    Health and Human Services, Health, Health Care Facilities and Providers, Health Insurance
    GS 58
  • Bill S 477 (2013-2014)
    Summary date: May 15 2013 - View Summary

    Senate amendment makes the following change to the 2nd edition:

    Changes statutory number for new "§ 58-50-295" to "§ 58-50-300."

    Health Insurance, Health Care Facilities and Providers
    GS 58
  • Bill S 477 (2013-2014)
    Summary date: May 14 2013 - View Summary

    Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.

    Makes the provisions of proposed GS 58-50-295 applicable only to agreements between an insurer or an entity that writes vision insurance and an optometrist (was, an optometrist or an ophthalmologist).

    Adds new subsection (c) to require optometrists to provide a written disclosure to patients in no smaller than a ten point font that informs the patient in prescribed language that there is no obligation on the part of the patient to purchase glasses or other vision products from the prescribing provider and that the patient is free to obtain a written prescription to use in purchasing prescription vision products from any other vendor.

    Amends the title.

    Health Insurance, Health Care Facilities and Providers
    GS 58
  • Bill S 477 (2013-2014)
    Summary date: Mar 27 2013 - View Summary

    Enacts new GS 58-50-295 to prohibit an agreement between an insurer or an entity writing vision insurance and an optometrist or ophthalmologist for the provision of vision services on a preferred or in-network basis to plan members or insurance subscribers in connection with specified types of plans, from requiring that an optometrist or ophthalmologist provide services or materials at a fee that is limited or set by the plan unless the contract provides the reimbursement for services or materials as covered services. Effective October 1, 2013, and applies to contracts entered into, amended, or renewed on or after that date.

    Health Insurance, Health Care Facilities and Providers
    GS 58
View: All Summaries for Bill