October 20, 2015
On Oct. 1, 2015, Insurance Commissioner Ridling issued Bulletin No. 2015-06. The bulletin encourages insurers and vision care providers to review their plan form filings and provider contracts to ensure compliance with the terms of recently adopted Ala. Act No. 2015-481 (SB 270, 2015 Regular Session).
As background, on June 11, 2015, Gov. Bentley signed SB 270 into law. The law prohibits insurers of vision care services from limiting a vision care provider's ability to set fees for services and materials, to participate in specific vision care plans and to choose sources of suppliers in certain circumstances. The law also prohibits vision care providers from charging more to an insurer than the customary rates of those vision care providers and requires reasonable reimbursements for vision care services and materials to vision care providers. The Alabama Department of Insurance may adopt rules to implement this law.
The law became effective June 11, 2015.
Bulletin No. 2015-06 »