(a) Notwithstanding any other law, the commission shall ensure that a managed care plan offered by a managed care organization that contracts with the commission under this chapter and any other Medicaid managed care model or arrangement implemented under this chapter allow a recipient who receives services through the plan or other model or arrangement to, in the manner and to the extent required by § 32.072, Human Resources Code:
(1) select an in-network ophthalmologist or therapeutic optometrist in the managed care network to provide eye health care services, other than surgery; and
(2) have direct access to the selected in-network ophthalmologist or therapeutic optometrist for the provision of the nonsurgical services.
(b) This section does not affect the obligation of an ophthalmologist or therapeutic optometrist in a managed care network to comply with the terms and conditions of the managed care plan.

Text of section effective until April 01, 2025