PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 35

"provided under this section for services rendered" by a nurse midwife is
added for clarity. Consequently, the former reference to "nonprofit" health
insurance benefits and "group or blanket" health insurance benefits is deleted
as unnecessary in light of the reference to health insurance benefits "provided
under this section".

Defined terms: "Health insurance" § 1-101
"Insurer" § 1-101
"Person" § 1-101
"Policy" § 1-101

15-710. OPTOMETRISTS.

(A) SCOPE OF SECTION.

THIS SECTION APPLIES TO EACH INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE
POLICY OR CERTIFICATE OF AN INSURER THAT:

(1} IS ISSUED OR DELIVERED IN THE STATE;

(2) IS ISSUED TO A GROUP THAT IS INCORPORATED OR HAS A MAIN
OFFICE IN THE STATE; OR

(3) COVERS INDIVIDUALS WHO RESIDE OR WORK IN THE STATE.

(B) REIMBURSEMENT FOR SERVICES.

EACH POLICY OR CERTIFICATE SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION THAT PROVIDES
FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR A SERVICE THAT IS WITHIN THE LAWFUL SCOPE OF
PRACTICE OF AN OPTOMETRIST LICENSED UNDER THE HEALTH OCCUPATIONS
ARTICLE SHALL REQUIRE THE INSURER TO REIMBURSE THE INSURED OR ANY
OTHER PERSON COVERED BY THE POLICY OR CERTIFICATE FOR THE SERVICE
PERFORMED BY THE OPTOMETRIST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OTHER PROVISIONS
OF THE POLICY OR CERTIFICATE.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived without substantive
change from former Art. 48A, §§ 470A and 477F.

In the introductory language of subsection (a) of this section, the references to
an "individual" or group health insurance policy or certificate "of an insurer"
are added to clarify the applicability of this section.

In subsection (a)(3) of this section, the reference to "individuals" who reside
or work in the State is substituted for the former reference to "persons" since
only an individual can reside or work in the State.

In subsection (b) of this section, the references to providing "for
reimbursement" for services that "[are] within the lawful scope of practice of
an optometrist licensed" under the Health Occupations Article are substituted
for the former references to providing "insurance against expenses incurred"
for services that "optometrists are licensed to perform" under the Health
Occupations Article for consistency with similar provisions in this subtitle.
Similarly, the requirement to "reimburse the insured or any other person

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