S 588

Abstract

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 38-71-440, RELATING TO HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS AND HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS OFFERING MEDICAL EYE CARE OR VISION CARE BENEFITS AND PROHIBITED ACTIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS FOR VISION CARE ORGANIZATION AND PROVIDER PANEL, PROHIBIT THE REQUIREMENT THAT AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST, OPTOMETRIST, OR OPTICIAN MUST JOIN A NETWORK SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREDENTIALING THE LICENSEE FOR ANOTHER ORGANIZATION'S VISION NETWORK, PROHIBIT THE REQUIREMENT THAT AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST, OPTOMETRIST, OR OPTICIAN MUST USE SPECIFIC SUPPLIERS OF MATERIALS OR OPTICAL LABORATORIES, PROHIBIT CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS THAT AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST, OPTOMETRIST, OR OPTICIAN MUST PROVIDE SERVICES OR MATERIALS TO A PATIENT BASED UPON THE HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION'S SUBSIDIARIES, OTHER HOLDINGS, OR CONTRACT MANDATES, AND PROHIBIT PATIENT RESTRICTION OF CHOICE OF LABS AND MATERIAL PROVIDERS.