Therapeutic Contact Lenses
Legislation was passed that clears the way for optometrists to sell a contact lens that contains a therapeutic drug such as ketotifen. The legislation (SB 781, Public Act 09-58) passed without opposition in both the Senate and House and becomes effective on October 1, 2009.
Vision Care Legislation
A bill that would permit the purchase of replacement eyewear and contact lenses using expired prescriptions (HB 5882) was not advanced out of the Public Health Committee. CAO opposed the legislation and believes the root problem is the need for insurance companies to cover such replacements within any two-year period.
Protective Eyewear for Minors
A bill was passed (SB 825, Public Act 09-113) that requires minors to wear protective eyewear when shooting paintball guns at a commercial facility. The bill was signed into law on June 9 and becomes effective on October 1, 2009.
Prescription Refills by Insurance Companies
A bill was passed (HB 6540, Public Act 09-136) that requires certain insurance plans to approve prescription eye drop refills if they are needed less than 30 days from the date issued. The bill was signed into law on June 18 and becomes effective January 1, 2010.
Managed Care Organization Fee Changes
Restrictions on how frequently managed care organizations can change the fee structure in effect with their contracting providers was passed (SB 47, Public Act 09-204). The bill limits such changes to once annually, but permits additional changes under certain defined circumstances. SB 47 also limits the look-back period for payment recoupment to 18 months. CAO was part of the working group that developed the compromise legislation and advocated for its passage along with CSMS in the final days of the session. Optometrists are specifically referenced in the bill as covered practitioners. The bill is one of the more complicated pieces of legislation that passed this year. As such, most parts become effective in 2010 in order to give insurers adequate time to change their computer systems and policies.
Unemployment Compensation
A bill was enacted (HB 6715, Public Act 09-3) that takes advantage of new options presented as a result of the federal stimulus law. One part of that law permits states to provide unemployment compensation, in certain situations, to an individual who needs to stay at home to care for a sick child or relative. A medical certification of the person’s illness or disability is required and optometrists are specifically referenced in the bill as having that authority. This constitutes a new treatment option for practices.
Motor Vehicle Drivers Vision Screening Delayed
As in past years, the omnibus DMV bill (SB 1081, Public Act 09-187) delays vision screening for drivers at every other license renewal for another two years. The requirement is now slated to take effect on July 1, 2011.
