Texas House Bill HB4325

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the establishment and maintenance of a glaucoma comanagement registry.

Impact

With the establishment of this registry, the bill seeks to improve patient care by ensuring that there is a clear and accessible record of which ophthalmologists are collaborating with therapeutic optometrists. This initiative is expected to streamline the referral process and enhance the overall management of glaucoma care. By requiring ophthalmologists to update their information at least annually, the proposed legislation ensures that the registry remains current and reliable, reflecting the latest practice collaborations.

Summary

House Bill 4325 establishes a glaucoma comanagement registry aimed at improving the collaborative management of patients with glaucoma between ophthalmologists and therapeutic optometrists in Texas. The legislation mandates that the Texas Medical Board create and maintain this registry, which will list ophthalmologists engaged in comanagement with therapeutic optometrists. The registry will be made readily available to the public via a link on the board's internet website, enhancing transparency and accessibility for patients seeking care for glaucoma.

Contention

There may be concerns regarding the administrative burden placed on ophthalmologists to maintain accurate and up-to-date information in the registry. Some practitioners may view this requirement as an additional obligation that could detract from their clinical focus. Moreover, while the intent is to facilitate better patient outcomes, discussions may arise around the effectiveness of such a registry in actually improving care compared to existing practice protocols. Stakeholders might also debate the implications of public accessibility to practitioner information in relation to patient privacy and consent.