Rhode Island § 23-97-4 - Consumer Protection in Eye Care Act

§ 23-97-4. Provider responsibilities.

To use an assessment mechanism to conduct an eye assessment or to generate a prescription, a person shall be an actively licensed provider acting within their scope of practice, and the provider shall:

(1) Conform to the standard of eye health care expected of traditional in-person clinical settings as appropriate to the patient’s age and presenting condition, including when the standard of care requires the use of diagnostic testing and performance of a physical examination, which may be carried out through the use of peripheral devices appropriate to the patient’s condition.

(2) Not use the data or information obtained from an eye assessment as the sole basis for issuing a prescription.

(3) Read and interpret the diagnostic information and data, including any photographs and scans, gathered by the assessment mechanism.

(4) Verify the identity of the patient requesting treatment via the assessment mechanism.

(5) Verify the patient is at least eighteen (18) years of age.

(6) For issuing prescriptions for visual aid glasses, verify that the patient has received an in-person comprehensive eye examination by a provider within the previous twenty-four (24) months.

(7) For issuing prescriptions for contact lenses, verify that the patient has received an in-person comprehensive eye health examination by a provider:

(i) For the initial prescription and one follow-up or first renewal of the initial prescription; or

(ii) Within twenty-four (24) months after the follow-up or first renewal of the initial prescription, and every twenty-four (24) months thereafter.

(8) Create and maintain a medical record for each patient, which is for use during the ongoing treatment of a patient, and complies with all state and federal laws regarding maintenance and accessibility.

(9) Provide a handwritten or electronic signature, along with their Rhode Island state license number, certifying their diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, prescription, or consultation recommendations of the patient.