HB323 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Millican

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Cam WardMike HillJim McClendonJim BartonSteve Clouse

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Eye care providers including optometrists and ophthalmologists, health insurance policies or plans, prohibited from requiring provider to purchase certain supplies, Access to Eye Care Act, Sec. 27-56-4 am'd. (2010-20388)

Summary

The bill updates Alabama's Eye Care Act to limit insurers from imposing certain provider restrictions and supply requirements on eye care professionals, with a defined effective date.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, insurers or plans cannot impose practice restrictions on optometrists that go beyond what the law allows,不能 discriminate between eye care providers for covered services, and cannot require hospital privileges as a condition of payment. It also prohibits restrictions based on a provider's degree, bans discrimination in reimbursement for the same services, and forbids requiring purchase or maintenance of a minimum amount of a specific ophthalmic material as a condition of participation or payment. The act does not apply to policies already in effect and becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Eye care providers (optometrists and ophthalmologists) who would be protected from certain insurer-imposed restrictions and supply requirements.
• Health insurance policies/plans/contracts that pay for eye care services and must comply with the prohibitions and changes.

Key Provisions

• An insurance policy, plan, or contract providing third-party payment or prepayment of eye care services may not impose a practice restriction on optometrists that is inconsistent with or more restrictive than allowed by law.
• An insurance policy, plan, or contract may not discriminate between classes of eye care providers for any covered service within the scope of the provider's license.
• An insurance policy, plan, or contract may not require eye care providers to hold hospital privileges as a condition of participation or payment.
• An insurance policy, plan, or contract may not impose restrictions not required by law based on the eye care provider's professional degree.
• An insurance policy, plan, or contract may not discriminate between eye care providers in the amount of reimbursement for the same services.
• An insurance policy, plan, or contract may not require eye care providers to purchase or maintain a minimum quantity or minimum dollar amount of a specified brand of ophthalmic materials as a condition of participation or payment.
• The act does not apply to any policy, plan, or contract that was in effect on the effective date of this act.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health