Prevention of Blindness Program

PURPOSE: This rule establishes the guidelines for provision of services to visually impaired persons through the Prevention of Blindness Program. Provision of these services is authorized by sections 207.010, 207.020, 209.010 and 209.020, RSMo. (1) Prevention of Blindness Program. This program meets the cost of eye care for Missouri residents of all ages who meet visual eligibility requirements outlined in subsection (1)(A) and financial eligibility requirements outlined in subsection (1)(B). (A) Visual Eligibility Requirements. Visual eligibility for Prevention of Blindness services is based on examination by an eye-care specialist that establishes one (1) of the following conditions: a progressive eye disease, a malformation or malfunction of all or part of an eye, or central visual acuity without correction of twenty/two hundred (20/200) or less in one (1) eye. (B) Financial Eligibility Requirements. Financial eligibility for services is based on financial need as determined by Rehabilitation Services for the Blind. (C) Priority of Services. When necessary, due to limitation of Prevention of Blindness funds, Rehabilitation Services for the Blind may initiate a priority of services plan, with those persons in need of emergency eye care or surgical procedures receiving priority. (D) Prior authorization must be given for any service involving expenditure of Prevention of Blindness funds. (E) Fees for Service. Total payment or eye care authorized by Prevention of Blindness will not exceed fees established by the Family Support Division. (F) Similar Benefits. Prevention of Blindness funds will be used to pay for eye care only after payment available from other sources has been determined. Other sources include, but are not limited to: Title XVIII (Medicare), Title XIX (Medicaid), vocational rehabilitation programs, and other public or private health care programs. AUTHORITY: sections 207.022 and 660.017, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed Aug. 11, 1978, effective Nov. 11, 1978. Amended: Filed Jan. 10, 1985, effective April 11, 1985. Emergency amendment filed Oct. 17, 1985, effective Oct. 27, 1985, expired Feb. 14, 1986. Amended: Filed Oct. 17, 1985, effective Feb. 13, 1986. Emergency amendment filed Aug. 17, 1992, effective Sept. 1, 1992, expired Dec. 29, 1992. Amended: Filed Aug. 17, 1992, effective April 8, 1993. Amended: Filed Aug. 15, 2000, effective Feb. 28, 2001. Amended: Filed Sept. 18, 2018, effective May 30, 2019. *Original authority: 207.022, RSMo 2014 and 660.017, RSMo 1993, amended 1995.