Bill > SB2573

This bill establishes new requirements for vision care plan issuers in Texas regarding the participation of optometrists and therapeutic optometrists. The bill mandates that vision care plan issuers (insurance companies offering limited-scope vision coverage) must provide an online application method for licensed eye care professionals to become participating providers. The application can only request standardized information and must apply equally to all optometrists and therapeutic optometrists. Plan issuers must electronically deliver a provider contract within five days of receiving a qualifying application and include the applicant as a participating provider within 20 business days of contract acceptance. Importantly, the bill requires vision care plan issuers to allow optometrists and therapeutic optometrists to participate to the full extent of their professional license across all of the issuer's vision care plans and vision panels in Texas. The bill also slightly modifies the definition of "vision care plan" to more precisely describe limited-scope eye care coverage policies. These new provisions will apply only to contracts entered into or renewed on or after the bill's effective date, which will be immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas legislature, or September 1, 2025, if it does not receive the required voting support.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB2573