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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the inclusion of optometrists, therapeutic |
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optometrists, and ophthalmologists in the health care provider |
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networks of certain Medicaid managed care organizations. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 533, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 533.0065 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 533.0065. EYE HEALTH CARE SERVICE PROVIDERS. Subject |
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to Section 32.047, Human Resources Code, but notwithstanding any |
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other law, if the commission determines that recipient access to |
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optometrists, therapeutic optometrists, and ophthalmologists under |
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any Medicaid managed care model or arrangement in a region is not |
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adequate, the commission shall require that each managed care |
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organization that contracts with the commission to provide health |
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care services to recipients in that region under the model or |
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arrangement include in the organization's provider network each |
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optometrist, therapeutic optometrist, and ophthalmologist in the |
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region who: |
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(1) agrees to comply with the terms and conditions of |
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the organization; |
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(2) agrees to accept the prevailing provider contract |
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rate of the organization; |
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(3) agrees to abide by the standards of care required |
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by the organization; and |
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(4) has the credentials required by the organization. |
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SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |