192.935. Blindness education, screening and treatment program fund--uses of fund--rulemaking.

Blindness education, screening and treatment program fund--uses offund--rulemaking.

192.935. 1. There is hereby created in the state treasury the"Blindness Education, Screening and Treatment Program Fund". The fundshall consist of moneys donated pursuant to subsection 7 of section301.020, RSMo, and subsection 3 of section 302.171, RSMo. Unexpendedbalances in the fund at the end of any fiscal year shall not be transferredto the general revenue fund or any other fund, the provisions of section33.080, RSMo, to the contrary notwithstanding.

2. Subject to the availability of funds in the blindness education,screening and treatment program fund, the department shall develop ablindness education, screening and treatment program to provide blindnessprevention education and to provide screening and treatment for persons whodo not have adequate coverage for such services under a health benefitplan.

3. The program shall provide for:

(1) Public education about blindness and other eye conditions;

(2) Screenings and eye examinations to identify conditions that maycause blindness;

(3) Treatment procedures necessary to prevent blindness; and

(4) Any additional costs for vision examinations under section167.195, RSMo, that are not covered by existing public health insurance.Subject to appropriations, moneys from the fund shall be used to pay forthose additional costs, provided that the costs do not exceed ninety-ninethousand dollars per year. Payment from the fund for vision examinationsunder section 167.195, RSMo, shall not exceed the allowable state Medicaidreimbursement amount for vision examinations.

4. The department may contract for program development with anydepartment-approved nonprofit organization dealing with regional andcommunity blindness education, eye donor and vision treatment services.

5. The department may adopt rules to prescribe eligibilityrequirements for the program.

6. No rule or portion of a rule promulgated pursuant to the authorityof this section shall become effective unless it has been promulgatedpursuant to the provisions of chapter 536, RSMo.

(L. 2000 S.B. 721 § 192.936, A.L. 2007 S.B. 16)