CO HB1297

Prohibits insurance carriers from establishing, limiting, or requiring discounts on fees that optometrists charge for uncovered eye care services, vision examinations, or corrective lenses.

Prevents carriers from requiring optometrists to participate in other carriers' vision plans or networks as a condition of participation in the carrier's health coverage plans.

Prohibits carriers from delegating credentialing processes to vision plans that require optometrist participation as a condition of credentialing, and from imposing different credentialing standards on optometrists than other health care professionals.

Bars carriers from requiring optometrists to use or recommend specific sources for corrective lenses or optical laboratory services.

Classifies violations as unfair or deceptive insurance practices subject to penalties, effective January 1, 2016, for contracts issued, renewed, amended, or extended on or after that date.