This bill establishes a children's vision screening initiative within the state Medicaid program. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is tasked with seeking funding for the program, which will provide reimbursement to optometrists, physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses who provide vision screening services to children between 0 and 6 years of age enrolled in Medicaid. Providers who choose to participate in the program must complete approved training and submit evidence of completion to DHHS. The commissioner of DHHS will adopt rules regarding the administration of the initiative, including eligibility criteria, covered services, reimbursement rates, and provider training requirements. DHHS will also develop a list of approved training programs and provide a list of qualified providers to primary care providers upon implementation of the program. DHHS must submit a Medicaid state plan amendment to establish the children's vision screening initiative. The commissioner of DHHS, or designee, will report annually to the health and human services oversight committee about the initiative. The bill also requires child care resource and referral services to provide access to annual vision screening for children under age 6. Additionally, the bill establishes requirements for vision screening of pupils in the public school system, including exemptions for religious objections and previous comprehensive eye and vision examinations. Finally, the bill establishes special vision screening for children not reading at grade level by third grade or at the request of their teacher. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 170-E:5-a