Sec. 1. 24-A MRSA §4314 is enacted to read:

§4314.__Access to eye care providers

1.__Definitions.__As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A.__"Eye care provider" means a participating provider who is an optometrist licensed to practice optometry pursuant to Title 32, chapter 34-A, or an ophthalmologist licensed to practice medicine pursuant to Title 32, chapter 48.

B.__"Eye care services" means those health care services related to the examination, diagnosis, treatment and management of conditions and diseases of the eye and related structures that a carrier is obligated to pay, reimburse, arrange or provide for plan sponsors or enrollees as specified by a health plan or managed care plan.

2.__Health plan issued or renewed.__A health plan or managed care plan that provides coverage for eye care services may not be issued or renewed after January 1, 2002 by any carrier unless the health plan or managed care plan:

A.__Provides a plan sponsor or enrollee direct access to any eye care provider participating and available under the plan for eye care services;

B.__Ensures that all eye care providers on a health plan or managed care plan are included on any publicly accessible list of participating providers for the health plan or managed care plan; and

C.__Allows each eye care provider on a health plan or managed care plan to furnish covered eye care services to plan sponsors or enrollees without discrimination between classes of eye care providers and to provide the services as permitted by the eye care provider's license.

3.__Health plan; managed care plan.__A health plan or managed care plan may not:

A.__Impose a deductible or coinsurance for eye care services that is greater than the deductible or coinsurance imposed for other medical services under the health plan or managed care plan; or