D8DA22FEB058B6B28725824A0075F339 Hearing Summary

Senator Aguilar, co-prime sponsor, presented House Bill 18-1012.  The bill places certain restrictions on contracts between health insurance carriers or other entities that offer vision care plans (insurers) and eye care providers.  Specifically, this bill prohibits an insurer from requiring an eye care provider to:

• provide services or materials to a covered person at a fee set by, or subject to the approval of, the insurer unless the services or materials are covered by the vision care plan and the insurer provides payment for the covered service or material in an amount that is not nominal or de minimis;
• charge a covered person an amount for a noncovered service or material that is less than the usual and customary amount that the eye care provider charges for persons who do not have a vision care plan; or
• participate in other vision plan networks offered by the insurer as a condition of participating in a vision care plan. 

 

Senator Aguilar responded to questions from the committee.  Amendment L.008 was distributed to the committee (Atttachment C).

Micki Hackenberger, National Association of Vision Care Plans, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Deanna Alexander, Colorado Optometric Association (COA), testified in support of the bill.

Sean Claflin, COA, testified in support of the bill.

David Navas, Healthier Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Hackenberger responded to questions.

Mr. Navas and Mr. Claflin responded to questions.

Committee comments followed.

Jon Pederson, COA, testified in support of the bill.

Zoey Loomis, COA, testified in support of the bill.

Committee comments and questions followed.