83R9260 EES-F
 
  By: Hinojosa S.B. No. 1424
 
 
 
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.