Sec. 1451.155. CONTRACTS WITH OPTOMETRISTS OR THERAPEUTIC OPTOMETRISTS. (a) In this section:

(1) "Covered product or service" means a vision care product or service for which reimbursement is available under an enrollee's managed care plan contract or for which reimbursement is available subject to a contractual limitation, including:

(A) a deductible;

(B) a copayment;

(C) coinsurance;

(D) a waiting period;

(E) an annual or lifetime maximum limit;

(F) a frequency limitation; or

(G) an alternative benefit payment.

(2) "Vision care product or service" means a product or service provided within the scope of the practice of optometry or therapeutic optometry under Chapter 351, Occupations Code.

(b) A contract between an insurer and an optometrist or therapeutic optometrist may not limit the fee the optometrist or therapeutic optometrist may charge for a product or service that is not a covered product or service.

(c) A contract between an insurer and an optometrist or therapeutic optometrist may not require a discount on a product or service that is not a covered product or service.

Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 755 (S.B. 632), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.