HLS 12RS-1034 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 614
BY REPRESENTATIVE REYNOLDS
INSURANCE/HEALTH: Provides relative to choice of practitioners for eye or vision care
services
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 22:997, relative to choice of practitioners; to provide relative to2
eye or vision care services; and to provide for related matters.3
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:4
Section 1. R.S. 22:997 is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:5
ยง997. Visual Eye or vision care services, choice of practitioners6
Whenever any contract of insurance or any medical or hospital service7
contract or hospital and medical service contract issued or delivered in this state8
provides for reimbursement of any visual eye or vision care services which are9
within the lawful scope of practice of a duly licensed optometrist as defined in R.S.10
37:1041, the insured or other person entitled to benefits under such contract shall be11
entitled to reimbursements for such services, whether such services are performed12
by a duly licensed physician or a duly licensed optometrist, notwithstanding any13
provision of the law to the contrary or any provision in any such contract; duly14
licensed optometrist shall be entitled to participate in such contracts providing for15
visual eye or vision care services to the same extent as duly licensed physicians.16
There shall be no discrimination in the amount of reimbursement allowed for such17
visual eye or vision care services, whether performed by an optometrist or physician,18
in instances where the services performed are within the lawful scope of practice of19
both professions.20 HLS 12RS-1034 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 614
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Reynolds HB No. 614
Abstract: Clarifies terminology relative to services provided.
Present law provides that whenever any contract of insurance provides for reimbursement
of any visual services which are within the lawful scope of a duly licensed optometrist, then
the insured shall be entitled to reimbursements for such services, whether performed by a
duly licensed physician or by a duly licensed optometrist.
Present law further provides that duly licensed optometrists shall be able to participate in
contracts that provide for visual services to the same extent as a duly licensed physician, and
that there shall be no discrimination on the amount of reimbursement allowed, based on
whether the services are performed by the duly licensed optometrist or physician.
Proposed law expands the scope of services from "visual services" to "eye or vision care
services". Otherwise retains present law.
(Amends R.S. 22:997)