SB 6644-S.E - DIGEST
(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/15/2008)

Finds that the unique characteristics of eye care and the structure of insurance coverage relating to medical eye care and vision only services create confusion among enrollees of health plans and create inefficiencies in the delivery of medical eye care, and that creating a primary care medical home relationship for eye care patients will improve the quality of care and reduce the cost of eye care.

Declares that health plans covering primary medical eye care must conform to certain minimum requirements.

Provides that, for all contracts issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2009, a health plan that includes primary medical eye care shall provide for enrollees a complete list of health care providers contracted with the health plan, either directly or through a subcontract, to provide primary medical eye care to enrollees, and all such providers shall be available to all enrollees, subject to any service area requirements of the plan.