56-7-2402 - Participation by optometrists, podiatrists and social workers in medical, hospital, and hospital and medical service plans.
56-7-2402. Participation by optometrists, podiatrists and social workers in medical, hospital, and hospital and medical service plans.
(a) Whenever any subscribers under any medical service plan or hospital service contract or hospital and medical service contract, as provided under chapters 27-29 of this title or any similar statutes, or any other persons covered by the plan or contract, are entitled to reimbursement for any services that are within the lawful scope of practice of a duly licensed optometrist as defined in § 63-8-102; a duly licensed podiatrist as defined in § 63-3-101; or a duly licensed independent practitioner of social work as defined in former § 63-23-103 [repealed], the subscriber or other person shall be entitled to reimbursement for the services, whether the services are performed by a duly licensed physician; a duly licensed optometrist; a duly licensed podiatrist; or a duly licensed independent practitioner of social work, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any other statute or in the plan or contract; and duly licensed optometrists and podiatrists shall be entitled to participate in the plans or contracts providing for the services to the same extent and subject to the same limitations as duly licensed physicians.
(b) The provisions of this section relating to podiatric services apply to all contracts, plans or policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 1981.
[Acts 1965, ch. 357, § 2; T.C.A., § 56-1146; Acts 1981, ch. 168, §§ 3-5, 10; 1985, ch. 27, § 2; 1992, ch. 984, § 2; T.C.A., § 56-7-109.]