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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" citation="COMAR 10.09.14.01" title_num="10" subtitle_num="09" chapter_num="14" heading="Definitions.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Terms Defined.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>“Acquisition cost” means actual cost of a product to a provider.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>“Board” means the State Board of Examiners in Optometry.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>“Department” means the Maryland Department of Health, the single State agency designated to administer the Maryland Medical Assistance Program pursuant to Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §1396 et seq.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>“Diagnostically certified optometrist” means a licensed optometrist who is certified by the Board to administer topical ocular diagnostic pharmaceutical agents to the extent permitted under Health Occupations Article, §11-404, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>“EPSDT partial screen” means less than the complete package of various screening procedures required by the State Periodicity Schedule that an EPSDT participant receives at a given age.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>“EPSDT screen” means EPSDT screen as defined in COMAR 10.09.23.01.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>“Invoice” means a form designated by the Department for use by providers in submitting bills for payment.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>“Medically necessary” means that the service or benefit is:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Directly related to diagnostic, preventive, curative, palliative, rehabilitative, or ameliorative treatment of an illness, injury, disability, or health condition;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Consistent with current accepted standards of good medical practice;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The most cost efficient service that can be provided without sacrificing effectiveness or access to care; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Not primarily for the convenience of the consumer, family, or provider.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>“Ophthalmologist” means a physician skilled in diseases of the eye.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>“Ophthalmic lenses or optical aids” means a lens, contact lens, prism, or vision aid which has a therapeutic effect on a patient, or which will contribute to the visual welfare of a patient.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>“Optician” means an individual, partnership, or company which meets applicable licensing requirements as a qualified grinder or dispenser of ophthalmic lenses or optical aids, and which is capable of translating, filling, and adapting ophthalmic prescriptions, products, and accessories.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(12)">
      <text>“Optometric clinic or center” means a facility, which provides services for patients under the supervision of a licensed optometrist.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(13)">
      <text>Optometric Examination.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>“Optometric examination” means a series of tests and measurements used to determine the extent of visual impairment, or the correction required to improve visual acuity, performed by a licensed optometrist.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>“Optometric examination” includes as a minimum:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Reviewing a patient's history, past prescriptions, and specifications when available;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Visual analysis;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Ophthalmoscopy of internal eye;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Tonometry without anesthetic when indicated or for a patient 40 years old or older;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Muscle balance examination;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Gross visual field testing when indicated;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vii)">
          <text>Writing of lens formula and other prescription data when needed, as well as specific instructions for future care;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(viii)">
          <text>Other tests when indicated by §B(12)(b)(i)—(vii) of this regulation; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ix)">
          <text>Subsequent progress evaluations when indicated.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(14)">
      <text>“Optometrist” means an individual who is licensed by the Board to practice optometry or by the state in which the service is rendered.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(15)">
      <text>“Orthoptic treatment” means the use of instruments to measure and enhance the binocular coordination of the eyes (a category of “visual training”).</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(16)">
      <text>Practice Optometry.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>“Practice optometry” means, subject to Health Occupations Article, §§11-404 and 11-404.2, Annotated Code of Maryland, to use any means known in the science of optics or eye care, except surgery, to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Detect, diagnose, and treat any optical or diseased condition in the human eye;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Prescribe eyeglasses or lenses to correct any optical or visual condition in the human eye;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Give advice or direction on the fitness or adaptation of eyeglasses or lenses to an individual for the correction or relief of a condition for which eyeglasses or lenses are worn; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Use, or permit the use of an instrument, test card, test type, test eyeglasses, test lenses, or other device to aid in choosing eyeglasses or lenses for an individual to wear.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>“Practice optometry” includes, subject to Health Occupations Article, §§11-404 and 11-404.2, Annotated Code of Maryland:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The administration of topical ocular diagnostic pharmaceutical agents;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The administration and prescription of therapeutic pharmaceutical agents; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>The removal of superficial foreign bodies from the cornea and conjunctiva.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(17)">
      <text>“Preauthorization” means an approval required from the Department or its designee before providing services.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(18)">
      <text>“Prescriber” means a physician or optometrist licensed to prescribe optical aids, and authorized by the Department to participate in the Program.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(19)">
      <text>“Prescription” means a written order for treatment or optical aids, or both, signed by the prescriber.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(20)">
      <text>“Program” means the Maryland Medical Assistance Program.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(21)">
      <text>“Progress evaluation” means a follow-up visit, when indicated, to determine the effectiveness of an eye examination, prescription, or series of orthoptic treatments.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(22)">
      <text>“Provider” means a physician (when dispensing ophthalmic lenses or visual aids), optometrist, optometric clinic or center, or optician, recognized by the Department to participate in the Program.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(23)">
      <text>“Recipient” means a person who is certified as eligible for, and is receiving, Medical Assistance benefits.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(24)">
      <text>“Routine adjustment” means an adjustment made to an optical aid other than an adjustment required because of damage.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(25)">
      <text>“Screening” means tests or measurements, other than an eye examination, performed to discover the possibility of difficulty in vision.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(26)">
      <text>“Therapeutically certified optometrist” means a licensed optometrist who is certified by the Board to administer or prescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical agents or remove superficial foreign bodies from a human eye, adnexa, or lacrimal system to the extent permitted under Health Occupations Article, §11-404.2, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(27)">
      <text>“Visual training” means use of instruments or other means to measure and enhance the binocular coordination of the eyes and visual perceptual functions.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>