(1) Any insurer issuing or renewing a health benefit plan issued or renewed on or after July 12, 2006, which provides coverage for services rendered by a physician or osteopath duly licensed under KRS Chapter 311 that are within the scope of practice of an optometrist duly licensed under the provisions of KRS Chapter 320 shall provide the same reimbursement for services to optometrists as allowed for those services rendered by physicians or osteopaths.
(2) An insurer shall not require an optometrist to meet terms and conditions that are not required of a physician or osteopath as a condition for participation in its provider network for the provision of services that are within the scope of practice of an optometrist.
(3) The provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall also apply to any agreements an insurer enters into to provide services covered under the health benefit plan.
(4) An insurer shall not require an optometrist, physician, or osteopath to contract with a vision care plan licensed under Subtitle 17C of KRS Chapter 304 as a condition for participation in the health care network of the insurer to provide covered medical services to its enrollees.
Effective: June 24, 2015
History: Amended 2015 Ky. Acts ch. 86, sec. 1, effective June 24, 2015. — Created
2006 Ky. Acts ch. 164, sec. 6, effective July 12, 2006.