| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the inclusion of optometrists, therapeutic |
|
|
optometrists, and ophthalmologists in the health care provider |
|
|
networks of certain Medicaid managed care organizations. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 533, Government Code, is |
|
|
amended by adding Section 533.0065 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 533.0065. EYE HEALTH CARE SERVICE PROVIDERS. Subject |
|
|
to Section 32.047, Human Resources Code, but notwithstanding any |
|
|
other law, if the commission determines that recipient access to |
|
|
optometrists, therapeutic optometrists, and ophthalmologists under |
|
|
any Medicaid managed care model or arrangement in a region is not |
|
|
adequate, the commission shall require that each managed care |
|
|
organization that contracts with the commission to provide health |
|
|
care services to recipients in that region under the model or |
|
|
arrangement include in the organization's provider network each |
|
|
optometrist, therapeutic optometrist, and ophthalmologist in the |
|
|
region who: |
|
|
(1) agrees to comply with the terms and conditions of |
|
|
the organization; |
|
|
(2) agrees to accept the prevailing provider contract |
|
|
rate of the organization; |
|
|
(3) agrees to abide by the standards of care required |
|
|
by the organization; and |
|
|
(4) has the credentials required by the organization. |
|
|
SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
|
|
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
|
|
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
|
|
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
|
|
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
|
|
waiver or authorization is granted. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |