§27-56-7. Applicability to certain providers.

(a) This chapter does not require and shall not be construed to require any insurance policy, plan, or contract to provide health care coverage for eye care. The provisions of this chapter are applicable only to those insurance policies, plans, or contracts which provide coverage for eye care.

(b) Insurers or other issuers of any insurance policy, plan, or contract which provides coverage for eye care shall continue to be able to establish and apply selection criteria and utilization protocols for health care providers as well as credentialing criteria used in the selection of providers.

(c) This chapter does not require and shall not be construed to require the coverage of eye care services by providers who are not designated as covered providers, or who are not selected as participating providers, by an insurance policy, plan, or contract, or the issuer thereof having a participating network of service providers. Provided, however, if eye care coverage is provided, reasonable efforts shall be made to include a sufficient number of qualified providers, including optometrists, to insure reasonable access to eye care services.

(Act 2001-477, p. 640, §7.)