ACCESS TO OPTOMETRISTS

Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Provides that no health care plan or its subcontractors may by contract, written policy, procedure, or otherwise (1) mandate or require an optometrist licensed under the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987 to meet requirements not required of other eye care providers as a condition for participation in the health care plan or (2) reimburse the optometrist at a rate lower than other licensed providers based on class of licensure for equal services provided by the optometrist under the plan. Provides that all health care plans shall upon enrollment or renewal inform the plan participant that he or she has a right to choose an optometrist as his or her medical eye care provider.