Text of Statute

(A) As used in this section, "supplier" has the same meaning as in section 4725.28 of the Revised Code.

(B) An individual authorized under this chapter to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery, on completion of a vision examination and diagnosis, shall give each patient for whom the individual prescribes any vision correcting item, device, or procedure, one copy of the prescription, without additional charge to the patient. The prescription shall include the following:

(1) The date of its issuance;

(2) Sufficient information to enable the patient to obtain from the supplier of the patient's choice, the vision correcting item, device, or procedure that has been prescribed.

(C) Any supplier who fills a prescription for contact lenses furnished by an individual authorized under this chapter to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery shall furnish the patient with written recommendations to return to the prescribing doctor for evaluation of the contact lens fitting.

(D) Any supplier, including an individual authorized under this chapter to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery who is a supplier, may advertise to inform the general public of the price that the supplier charges for any vision correcting item, device, or procedure. An advertisement of that nature shall specify the following:

(1) Whether the price includes an eye examination;

(2) In the case of lenses, whether the price applies to single-vision or multifocal lenses;

(3) In the case of contact lenses, whether the price applies to rigid or soft lenses and whether there is an additional charge related to the fitting and determination of the type of contact lenses to be worn that is not included in the price of the eye examination.

(E) The state medical board shall not adopt any rule that restricts the right to advertise as permitted by division (D) of this section.

(F) Any municipal corporation code, ordinance, or regulation or any township resolution that conflicts with a supplier's right to advertise as permitted by division (D) of this section is superseded by division (D) of this section and is invalid. A municipal corporation code, ordinance, or regulation or a township resolution conflicts with division (D) of this section if it restricts a supplier's right to advertise as permitted by division (D) of this section.

HISTORY: 137 v S 157 (Eff 10-9-78); 144 v H 77 (Eff 9-17-91); 147 v S 31 (Eff 4-10-98); 147 v H 553. Eff 3-9-99.