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Bill > SB3707


IL SB3707

IL SB3707
VISION BENEFIT MANAGERS


summary

Introduced
02/05/2026
In Committee
02/05/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

104th General Assembly

Bill Summary

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates the Vision Benefit Managers Article. Beginning on July 1, 2026, requires a vision benefit manager to be registered with the Department of Insurance, as specified, to conduct business in the State. Requires amounts collected under provisions concerning vision benefit manager registration requirements to be deposited into the Low-Income Student Vision Examination Fund, which is created as a special fund in the State treasury. Grants the Director or the Director's designee the authority to examine a registered vision benefit manager related to all of its lines of business. Amends the Vision Care Plan Regulation Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Vision Benefit Manager Regulation Act. Establishes the legislative intent of the Act. Makes changes to defined terms. Throughout the Act, replaces references to vision care plans with vision benefit plans and vision benefit discount plans and vision care organizations with vision benefit managers. Sets forth provisions concerning required actions for noncovered services; fee schedules for eye care providers; reimbursement paid by a vision benefit manager to an eye care provider; application of the Act to a specified limited health service organization; an eye care provider's choice of vendors and affiliations; the modification of a plan; audits of an eye care provider; prohibited conduct impacting patient access and choice; credentialing; termination of agreements; prohibition on security interests; arbitration costs; nonretaliation; and private rights of action. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2027.

AI Summary

This bill, effective January 1, 2027, establishes new regulations for vision benefit managers, which are entities that administer vision benefit plans or vision benefit discount plans, by requiring them to register with the Department of Insurance starting July 1, 2027, and pay a fee that will fund the Low-Income Student Vision Examination Fund. The bill also significantly amends the Vision Care Plan Regulation Act, renaming it the Vision Benefit Manager Regulation Act, and clarifies the legislative intent to protect patient choice and the provider-patient relationship by addressing issues such as fee schedules for eye care providers, reimbursement rates, vendor choices, plan modifications, audits, prohibited conduct that impacts patient access, credentialing processes, termination of agreements, and establishing a private right of action for eye care providers who experience violations or retaliation. Conforming changes are also made to the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the State Finance Act.

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Referred to Assignments (on 02/05/2026)

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