Section 441.78.6. Optometrists.

Payment will be approved for medically necessary services and supplies provided by the optometrist within the scope of practice of optometry and the limitations of state law, subject to the following limitations and exclusions. Covered optometric services include a professional component and materials.

         78.6(1) Payable professional services. Payable professional services are:

            a.               Eye examinations. The coverage of eye examinations depends on the purpose of the examination. Services are covered if the examination is the result of a complaint or symptom of an eye disease or injury. Routine eye examinations are covered once in a 12-month period. These services are rendered in the optometrist’s office or clinic, the home, a nursing facility, or other appropriate setting. Payment for mileage shall be subject to the same approval and payment criteria as those in effect for Medicare Part B. The following levels of service are recognized for optometric examinations:

             (1)             Intermediate examination. A level of optometric or ophthalmological services pertaining to medical examination and evaluation, with initiation or continuation of a diagnostic and treatment program.

             (2)             Comprehensive examination. A level of optometric or ophthalmological services pertaining to medical examination and evaluation, with initiation or continuation of a diagnostic and treatment program, and a general evaluation of the complete visual system.

            b.               Medical services. Payment will be approved for medically necessary services and supplies within the scope of practice of the optometrist, including services rendered in the optometrist’s office or clinic, the home, a nursing facility, or other appropriate setting. Payment for mileage shall be subject to the same approval and payment criteria as those in effect for Medicare Part B.

            c.               Auxiliary procedures. The following auxiliary procedures and special tests are payable when performed by an optometrist. Auxiliary procedures and special tests are reimbursed as a separate procedure only when warranted by case history or diagnosis.

             (1)             Serial tonometry. Single tonometry is part of the intermediate and comprehensive exams and is not payable as a separate procedure as is serial tonometry.

             (2)             Gonioscopy.

             (3)             Extended ophthalmoscopy. Routine ophthalmoscopy is part of the intermediate and comprehensive examination and is not payable as a separate procedure. Generally, extended ophthalmoscopy is considered to be part of the comprehensive examination and, if performed in conjunction with that level of service, is not payable as a separate procedure.

             (4)             Visual fields. Gross visual field testing is part of general optometric services and is not reported separately.

             (5)             External photography.

             (6)             Fundus photography.

             (7)             Retinal integrity evaluation with a three-mirror lens.

            d.               Single vision and multifocal spectacle lens service, verification and subsequent service. When lenses are necessary, the following enumerated professional and technical optometric services are to be provided:

             (1)             When spectacle lenses are necessary, the following enumerated professional and technical optometric services are to be provided:

            1.      Ordering of corrective lenses.

            2.      Verification of lenses after fabrication.

            3.      Adjustment and alignment of completed lens order.

             (2)             New spectacle lenses are subject to the following limitations:

            1.      Up to three times for children up to one year of age.

            2.      Up to four times per year for children one through three years of age.

            3.      Once every 12 months for children four through seven years of age.

            4.      Once every 24 months after eight years of age when there is a change in the prescription.

             (3)             Spectacle lenses made from polycarbonate or equivalent material are allowed for:

            1.      Children through seven years of age.

            2.      Members with vision in only one eye.

            3.      Members with a diagnosis-related illness or disability where regular lenses would pose a safety risk.

            e.               Rescinded IAB 4/3/02, effective 6/1/02.

            f.                Frame service.

             (1)             When a new frame is necessary, the following enumerated professional and technical optometric services are to be provided:

            1.      Selection and styling.

            2.      Sizing and measurements.

            3.      Fitting and adjustment.

            4.      Readjustment and servicing.

             (2)             New frames are subject to the following limitations:

            1.      One frame every six months is allowed for children through three years of age.

            2.      One frame every 12 months is allowed for children four through seven years of age.

            3.      When there is a covered lens change and the new lenses cannot be accommodated by the current frame.

             (3)             Safety frames are allowed for:

            1.      Children through seven years of age.

            2.      Members with a diagnosis-related disability or illness where regular frames would pose a safety risk or result in frequent breakage.

            g.               Rescinded IAB 4/3/02, effective 6/1/02.

            h.               Repairs or replacement of frames, lenses or component parts. Payment shall be made for service in addition to materials. The service fee shall not exceed the dispensing fee for a replacement frame. Payment shall be made for replacement of glasses when the original glasses have been lost or damaged beyond repair. Replacement of lost or damaged glasses is limited to one pair of frames and two lenses once every 12 months for adults aged 21 and over, except for people with a mental or physical disability.

            i.                Contact lenses. Payment shall be made for documented keratoconus, aphakia, high myopia, anisometropia, trauma, severe ocular surface disease, irregular astigmatism, for treatment of acute or chronic eye disease, or when the member’s vision cannot be adequately corrected with spectacle lenses. Contact lenses are subject to the following limitations:

             (1)             Up to 16 gas permeable contact lenses are allowed for children up to one year of age.

             (2)             Up to 8 gas permeable contact lenses are allowed every 12 months for children one through three years of age.

             (3)             Up to 6 gas permeable contact lenses are allowed every 12 months for children four through seven years of age.

             (4)             Two gas permeable contact lenses are allowed every 24 months for members eight years of age or older.

             (5)             Soft contact lenses and replacements are allowed when medically necessary.

         78.6(2) Ophthalmic materials. Ophthalmic materials which are provided in connection with any of the foregoing professional optometric services shall provide adequate vision as determined by the optometrist and meet the following standards:

            a.               Corrected curve lenses, unless clinically contraindicated.

            b.               Standard plastic, plastic and metal combination, or metal frames.

            c.               Prescription standards according to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards and tolerance.

         78.6(3) Reimbursement. The reimbursement for allowed ophthalmic material is subject to a fee schedule established by the department or to actual laboratory cost as evidenced by an attached invoice. Reimbursement for rose tint is included in the fee for the lenses.

            a.               Materials payable by fee schedule are:

             (1)             Spectacle lenses, single vision and multifocal.

             (2)             Frames.

             (3)             Case for glasses.

            b.               Materials payable at actual laboratory cost as evidenced by an attached invoice are:

             (1)             Contact lenses.

             (2)             Schroeder shield.

             (3)             Ptosis crutch.

             (4)             Safety frames.

             (5)             Subnormal visual aids.

             (6)             Photochromatic lenses.

         78.6(4) Prior authorization. Prior authorization is required for the following:

            a.               A second lens correction within a 24-month period for members eight years of age and older. Approval shall be given when the member’s vision has at least a five-tenths diopter of change in sphere or cylinder or ten-degree change in axis in either eye.

            b.               Visual therapy may be authorized when warranted by case history or diagnosis for a period of time not greater than 90 days. Should continued therapy be warranted, the prior approval process shall be reaccomplished, accompanied by a report showing satisfactory progress. Approved diagnoses are convergence insufficiency and amblyopia. Visual therapy is not covered when provided by opticians.

            c.               Subnormal visual aids where near visual acuity is at or better than 20/100 at 16 inches, 2M print. Prior authorization is not required if near visual acuity as described above is less than 20/100. Subnormal visual aids include, but are not limited to, hand magnifiers, loupes, telescopic spectacles, or reverse Galilean telescope systems. Payment shall be actual laboratory cost as evidenced by an attached invoice.

            d.               Approval for photochromatic tint shall be given when the member has a documented medical condition that causes photosensitivity and less costly alternatives are inadequate.

            e.               Approval for press-on prisms shall be granted for members whose vision cannot be adequately corrected with other covered prisms.

(Cross reference 78.28(3))

         78.6(5) Noncovered services. Noncovered services include, but are not limited to, the following services:

            a.               Glasses with cosmetic gradient tint lenses or other eyewear for cosmetic purposes.

            b.               Glasses for occupational eye safety.

            c.               A second pair of glasses or spare glasses.

            d.               Cosmetic surgery and experimental medical and surgical procedures.

            e.               Sunglasses.

            f.                Progressive bifocal or trifocal lenses.

         78.6(6) Therapeutically certified optometrists. Rescinded IAB 9/5/12, effective 11/1/12.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 249A.4.

[ARC 7548B, IAB 2/11/09, effective 4/1/09; ARC 0305C, IAB 9/5/12, effective 11/1/12]