Support AB448

Push Back Against VBMs' Outsized Influence

The more than three million patients in Nevada rely on state doctors of optometry for their comprehensive eye health and vision needs, yet vision benefit managers’ (VBM) outsized influence impacts patient choice and access and, overall, the doctor-patient relationship. Important legislation in states across the country, including Texas and Arkansas, is critical to ensure VBMs offer contract terms that are fair for providers and benefits that are appealing for patients via provisions that seek to rebalance the relationship among plans, patients and their doctors. Following is testimony from Texas and Arkansas Committee Hearings underscoring the value of the importance of AB448, the legislation the Nevada Optometric Association (NOA), our member doctors and our patients support today.   

Texas Committee Hearings 2023

Senate Committee Hearing: https://senate.texas.gov/videoplayer.php?vid=19163&lang=en  (2:48:30)
House Committee Hearing: https://www.house.texas.gov/videos/9715 (37:44)

Arkansas Committee Hearing 2025 
House Committee Hearing:  https://vimeo.com/1058379690

The NOA is currently working to advance AB448, legislation that would protect patient choice by preventing VBMs from steering enrollees toward corporate-owned providers or requiring doctors to use specific suppliers for materials. It would also establish stronger contract protections, ensuring that VBMs cannot unilaterally alter agreements to the detriment of providers.

Additionally, this legislation will ensure that providers are reimbursed at reasonable rates (comparable to Medicare) and will prohibit VBMs from setting, or limiting, what providers may charge for non-covered services and materials. It will also ban VBMs from imposing chargebacks or hidden fees that unfairly reduce provider compensation. Transparency provisions will require VBMs to disclose ownership interests in suppliers, clearly communicate reimbursement rates and contract terms upfront, and prevent deceptive marketing practices that mislead patients about their vision plan benefits and provider access. AB448 seeks to establish stronger oversight and enforcement mechanisms to hold VBMs accountable for compliance with these protections.

Nevada has taken important steps to regulate vision plans, but VBMs continue to engage in practices that undermine both patients and providers. This legislative effort is critical to preserving access to eye care in Nevada, ensuring fair competition, and preventing large corporate entities from prioritizing profits over patients. 

Stay tuned for more information and how you can get involved in supporting AB448.