Maryland State Board Rules on Doctor Responsibility in Blue Cross Suit

BALTIMORE — In a letter dated August 6th, the Maryland State Board of Examiners in Optometry ruled that optometrists within the state are "ultimately responsible for all of the products and services that the optometrist provides and authorizes."

This ruling comes after an inquiry by the Maryland Optometric Association (MOA), who is currently in a legal battle with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, inquired if state optometrists were legally responsible for the accuracy, quality and speed of delivery of any lenses they prescribe. This ruling strengthens the case brought against Blue Cross/Blue Shield by the MOA regarding their new vision plan provider, Davis Vision.

"One of our biggest issues with the new plan Blue Cross has with Davis Vision is that individual private practice optometrists would no longer have any control over the quality of the product they are giving to their patients," said MOA President, Dr. Michael Sless. "We now have a direct ruling from the board stating that doctors are ultimately responsible for the product, so therefore we need to make sure that Blue Cross gives us the oversight that we require to ensure quality prescriptions."

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