Texas unanimously passes groundbreaking VBM access bill

Independent optometrists in Texas may have been locked out of vision benefit plans—until now.  

With last week’s unanimous passage of HB 3211, vision benefits managers (VBMs) are now required to include any credentialed optometrist in their networks, as long as they sign a provider agreement. 

Tommy Lucas, O.D., director of advocacy for the Texas Optometric Association (TOA), views the bill as a significant step toward ensuring equal access to vision care for all Texans. 

“The Texas legislature has once again improved access to eye care for patients by unanimously passing HB 3211,” Dr. Lucas says. “This law stops longstanding discriminatory policies that prevented many of our colleagues from joining certain vision plan networks.” 

HB 3211’s passage stands as a testament to TOA advocacy, despite heavy opposition, says Jenn Deakins, O.D., the association’s legal and legislative chair. 

“Not a single legislator voted against HB 3211,” she says. “It’s great to see this common-sense policy enacted that puts patients first and helps small-business optometrists serve the people in their communities.” 

Standardizing credentialing and opening doors for independent optometrists 

Prior to the bill’s passage, access to optometrists was largely dictated by two large VBMs that together controlled more than 70% of the market, Dr. Lucas says. Many small or independent clinicians were excluded from participation based on their practice location or the concentration of VBM-owned or affiliated retail locations in the assigned areas. Using these discriminatory network development techniques, he says, VBMs largely excluded doctors outside of their owned or affiliated retail business units. 

The new law establishes universal standards for optometrists seeking to be in-network with any vision benefit plan. The bill requires all VBMs to include a provider application on their website and sets timely standards for application review. As long as the provider meets common credentialing standards, they must be invited to sign a provider agreement. Upon approval, they must be included as a participating provider in the plan within 20 days of signing the agreement. 

In addition to standardizing credentials for network participation, the bill also requires all issuers of vision plans to use standardized coding practices. 

Texas follows in the footsteps of 13 other states that enacted “any willing provider” laws, mostly in the 1990s. These laws ensure that any qualified provider must be allowed inclusion in the network of a benefit plan. Texas is the first state to pass a law specifically addressing this issue for vision plans and optometrists. 

More providers offer greater patient access 

While the law is a win for independent optometrists, it will also expand patient access and provide an opportunity for more affordable care through competition, Dr. Lucas says. Because most patients seek care initially within their VBM network, having more optometrists in the network increases access points for patients and maintains the potential for competitive pricing on both covered and noncovered services and materials. 

Without the new law, VBM-owned or affiliated retailers would face little competition from other independent optometrists as they continue to consolidate markets through acquisition and affiliation, Dr. Lucas says. This in turn could raise prices for consumers and decrease access to care. 

Dr. Lucas says the bill offers greater opportunity for patients and optometrists. “When we think broadly about patient care, access is everything,” he says. “All patients should be able to see the doctor of optometry of their choice and not have profit-based network barriers constructed by VBMs that inhibit their access to care.” 

AOA, affiliates committed to advancing optometry   

State advocacy teams are encouraged to join either of this year’s Regional Advocacy Meetings, including:  

2025 SGRC Regional Advocacy Meeting Chicago  
Aug. 15-16 | Hotel Chicago  
Housing and registration are open and will close July 17.   

2025 SGRC Regional Advocacy Meeting Phoenix  
Oct. 24-25 | Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix  
Housing and registration are open and will close Sept. 16.  

The 2025 Regional Advocacy Meetings are supported by Johnson & Johnson, SightSciences and Lumenis.