MS HB612

Prohibits insurers and vision insurance entities from requiring optometrists or ophthalmologists to provide services or materials at plan-limited fees unless those services are covered and reimbursed under the contract.

Prevents providers from charging more for noncovered services than their usual and customary rate for those same services and materials.

Requires contractual discounts not to result in fees lower than what the vision plan would pay for covered services after deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance are applied.

Mandates that reimbursement for covered services be reasonable and prohibits nominal reimbursement amounts used to classify services as covered.

Effective date: July 1, 2014.