SB 601 - AS INTRODUCED
2020 SESSION
20-2842
10/01
SENATE BILL 601
SPONSORS: Sen. Rosenwald, Dist 13; Sen. Carson, Dist 14; Sen. Chandley, Dist 11; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. Reagan, Dist 17; Sen. Cavanaugh, Dist 16; Rep. Grote, Rock. 24; Rep. P. Schmidt, Straf. 19
COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services
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ANALYSIS
This bill modifies the management of optometrist's treatment of glaucoma and repeals the joint credentialing committee for glaucoma credentialing for optometrists.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
20-2842
10/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Optometrists; Treatment of Glaucoma. Amend RSA 327:6-c, II-IV to read as follows:
II.(a) To be authorized to initiate treatment of glaucoma for patients 18 years of age or older, a therapeutic pharmaceutical agent certified optometrist shall complete the educational requirements in paragraph I and provide evidence of written referrals and consultations with a co-manager who shall be an ophthalmologist or an optometrist certified to treat glaucoma under this section. For purposes of this section, "glaucoma" means primary open-angle glaucoma; and "ophthalmologist"; means a physician licensed under RSA 329 with a specialty in ophthalmology. The [joint credentialing committee] board shall review evidence of glaucoma co-management submitted pursuant to subparagraph (b).
(b) Except as provided in subparagraph I(c) or paragraph III, therapeutic pharmaceutical agent certified optometrists are required to provide evidence of successful collaborative treatment and co-management of 25 glaucoma patients, up to 5 of which may be established patients, during a period of not less than 18 months for each patient, to ophthalmologists according to the following criteria:
(1) A new or existing glaucoma patient is examined and diagnosed by the optometrist;
(2) The optometrist, or an optometrist certified to treat glaucoma under this section, develops a proposed treatment plan and forwards the plan with examination documentation to an ophthalmologist for consultation;
(3) The ophthalmologist, or an optometrist certified to treat glaucoma under this section, examines the patient and reviews the optometrist's examination documentation and proposed treatment plan;
(4) The [ophthalmologist] co-manager, optometrist, and patient mutually agree to and document a treatment plan;
(5) The optometrist shall consult with the [co-managing ophthalmologist] co-manager when any of the following occurs: the patient's target pressure is not reached within 90 days; the patient is experiencing documented progression of optic nerve damage; the patient develops documented and repeated progression of visual field loss; or the patient develops angle-closure or other secondary glaucoma; and
(6) For each successfully co-managed glaucoma patient the optometrist and co-managing ophthalmologist shall complete a glaucoma credentialing reporting form and submit the form to the [joint credentialing committee] board upon completion of the 18 months of treatment.
III. The [joint credentialing committee] board may waive or reduce the requirements of RSA 327:6-c, I and II for the following categories of optometrists:
(a) Optometrists with a license and proof of practice for 12 months treating glaucoma patients in another state that currently authorizes the treatment of glaucoma by optometrists; or
(b) Optometrists who have proof of successful completion of a 12-month accredited optometric residency program or its equivalent.
IV. Upon certification to treat glaucoma patients:
(a) For a period of 24 months, optometrists shall consult with an ophthalmologist, or an optometrist certified to treat glaucoma under this section, within 30 days for each new glaucoma patient for confirmation of diagnosis and review of treatment plan.
(b) An optometrist shall consult with an ophthalmologist, or an optometrist certified to treat glaucoma under this section, within 30 days when any of the following occurs:
(1) The patient is experiencing documented progression of optic nerve damage or the patient develops documented and repeated progression of visual field loss on maximum tolerated topical medical therapy; or
(2) The patient develops angle-closure or other secondary glaucoma.
2 Optometrists; Disciplinary Action; Reference Changed. Amend RSA 327:20, II(i) to read as follows:
(i) The use of any pharmaceutical agent by an optometrist not authorized under RSA 327:6-a or the use of any pharmaceutical agent other than those agents described in RSA 327:1 or those previously approved by the [joint credentialing committee] board.
3 Repeal. RSA 327:6-b, relative to the joint credentialing committee, is repealed.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 18, 2020 | Senate | Hearing |
June 16, 2020: No Pending Motion; 06/16/2020 SJ 8
June 16, 2020: Vacated from Committee and Laid on Table, MA, VV; 06/16/2020 SJ 8
Feb. 18, 2020: Hearing: 02/18/2020, Room 101, LOB, 01:00 pm; SC 7
Jan. 8, 2020: To Be Introduced 01/08/2020 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 1