DIRECT ACCESS TO EYE HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a recipient of medical assistance is entitled to:

(1) select an ophthalmologist or therapeutic optometrist who is a medical assistance provider to provide eye health care services, other than surgery, that are within the scope of:

(A) services provided under the medical assistance program; and

(B) the professional specialty practice for which the ophthalmologist or therapeutic optometrist is licensed; and

(2) have direct access to the selected ophthalmologist or therapeutic optometrist for the provision of the nonsurgical services without any requirement that the patient or ophthalmologist or therapeutic optometrist obtain:

(A) a referral from a primary care physician or other gatekeeper or health care coordinator; or

(B) any other prior authorization or precertification.

(b) The commission may require an ophthalmologist or therapeutic optometrist selected as provided by this section by a recipient of medical assistance who is otherwise required to have a primary care physician or other gatekeeper or health care coordinator to forward to the recipient's physician, gatekeeper, or health care coordinator information concerning the eye health care services provided to the recipient.

(c) This section may not be construed to expand the scope of eye health care services provided under the medical assistance program.