Sec. 531.021191. MEDICAID ENROLLMENT OF CERTAIN EYE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. (a) This section applies only to:

(1) an optometrist who is licensed by the Texas Optometry Board;

(2) a therapeutic optometrist who is licensed by the Texas Optometry Board;

(3) an ophthalmologist who is licensed by the Texas Medical Board; and

(4) an institution of higher education that provides an accredited program for:

(A) training as a Doctor of Optometry or an optometrist residency; or

(B) training as an ophthalmologist or an ophthalmologist residency.

(b) The commission may not prevent a provider to whom this section applies from enrolling as a Medicaid provider if the provider:

(1) either:

(A) joins an established practice of a health care provider or provider group that has a contract with a managed care organization to provide health care services to recipients under Chapter 533; or

(B) is employed by or otherwise compensated for providing training at an institution of higher education described by Subsection (a)(4);

(2) applies to be an enrolled provider under Medicaid;

(3) if applicable, complies with the requirements of the contract between the provider or the provider's group and the applicable managed care organization; and

(4) complies with all other applicable requirements related to being a Medicaid provider.

(c) The commission may not prevent an institution of higher education from enrolling as a Medicaid provider if the institution:

(1) has a contract with a managed care organization to provide health care services to recipients under Chapter 533;

(2) applies to be an enrolled provider under Medicaid;

(3) complies with the requirements of the contract between the provider and the applicable managed care organization; and

(4) complies with all other applicable requirements related to being a Medicaid provider.

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 901 (H.B. 3675), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017.