MN HF559

Requires optometrists and physicians to establish a provider-patient relationship through an examination before prescribing ophthalmic goods (eyeglasses or contact lenses) to a patient.

Permits examinations to occur in three ways: in person, through face-to-face interactive two-way real-time communication, or through store-and-forward technologies with specified conditions.

When using store-and-forward technologies, the provider must obtain updated medical history, make a diagnosis at time of prescribing, conform to in-person care standards, not rely solely on online questionnaires, be licensed to issue prescriptions in the state, and provide patient records timely upon request.

Exempts over-the-counter eyeglasses (readers) that are not designed to address the individual wearer's specific visual needs from the provider-patient relationship requirement.

Effective July 1, 2019, and applies to ophthalmic prescriptions written on or after that date.