SB 214 - This act requires any health care plan that provides eye care to assure direct access to primary eye care providers without any referral. The primary eye care providers need not be on the list of preferred providers, although the health care plan may charge a "reasonable" higher copayment for out-of-plan care (under regulations issued by the Dept. of Insurance). Several other protections for the patient and eye care providers are included. Both opthalmologists and optometrists are included as eye care providers.

This act is similar to SB 738 (1996).

CHERYL GRAZIER