SB 844 - This act provides that authorizes the practice of surgical comanagement under certain conditions relating to the informed consent of the patient and the inconvenience of having the operating surgeon responsible for pre- and post-operative care.

None of the comanaging eye care providers may receive a percentage of the global surgical fee that exceeds the relative value of their services provided to the patients. The patient is required to sign a form indicating that the patient understands the financial arrangement between the eye care providers, the licensure and qualifications of the eye care providers, the patient's right to receive care from any of the providers and the right of the patient to accept or decline to participate in the surgical comanagement arrangement. The eye care providers must establish written protocols governing the manner in which care will be provided to patients.

Nothing in this act will authorize a comanaging eye care provider to demand to manage postoperative care in return for making a surgical referral, threaten to withhold referrals to a surgeon who does not agree to comanage a patient, and other coercive practices.
JIM ERTLE