Bill > S06813

This bill enacts the "Optometry Freedom Act," which aims to protect optometrists' professional autonomy by preventing vision care plans and insurance carriers from restricting their choice of supply sources and suppliers. The bill defines several key terms, including "covered materials" (reimbursable eye-related devices), "covered services" (reimbursable professional work), "materials" (ophthalmic devices like lenses and frames), "optometrist" (a licensed eye care professional), "services" (professional work performed by an optometrist), and "vision care plan" (an entity that provides or administers optometric service reimbursement). Specifically, the legislation prohibits contracts between carriers or vision care plans and optometrists from directly or indirectly limiting the optometrist's ability to choose their sources, suppliers, and optical laboratories when providing services or materials to patients. This bill appears designed to give optometrists more freedom in their professional practices and reduce potential restrictions imposed by insurance providers or vision care plans, ultimately aiming to protect the optometrist's professional judgment and potentially provide patients with more flexible eye care options.

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https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6813