Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 30 - Professions and Occupations › Part 2901 - Mississippi State Board of Optometry Rules and Regulations › Chapter 8 - Professional responsibility › Rule 30-2901-8.5 - Other Provisions

Current through June 25, 2024
No optometrist shall enter into an arrangement:
(a) allowing, permitting, encouraging,
				forbearing, or condoning any advertisement, including those placed in a
				newspaper, magazine, brochure, flier, telephone directory, or on television or
				radio, which implies or suggests that the licensed practitioner is
				professionally associated or affiliated with an entity which itself is not a
				licensed practitioner;
(b)
				occupying or otherwise using professional office space in any manner which does
				not clearly and sufficiently indicate to the public that his/her practice of
				optometry is independent of and not associated or affiliated with an entity
				which itself is not a licensed practitioner;
(c) using or employing office staff in any
				manner that implies or suggests that the licensed practitioner is
				professionally associated or affiliated with an entity which itself is not a
				licensed practitioner;
(d) failing
				to have a telephone listing and number that is separate and distinct from that
				of an entity which itself is not a licensed practitioner;
(e) answering the telephone, or allowing the
				telephone to be answered, in a manner that does not clearly and distinctly
				identify his/her independent optometric practice, or in a manner that implies
				or suggests that the licensed practitioner is professionally associated or
				affiliated with an entity which itself is not a licensed
				practitioner;
(f) accepting reduced
				rent or lease payments based upon the number of patients examined or treated or
				based upon the number of prescriptions written;
(g) agreeing to any arrangement for the
				furnishing of equipment, supplies, or office staff that in any way impairs,
				limits, or restricts the licensed practitioner's full and independent
				professional judgement and responsibility;
(h) failing to maintain full and independent
				control and discretion over fees charged to patients for optometric services
				and materials, including billing methods, except in the case of an association,
				partnership, or employment relationship which is permitted under the
				rules.
(i) Accepting a commission
				for the writing or filling of any optometric prescription.
(j) Nothing in these rules shall prevent a
				licensed practitioner from associating with a multidisciplinary group of
				licensed health care professionals, the primary objective of which is the
				diagnosis and treatment of the human body. A licensed practitioner may also
				employ, or form a partnership or professional association with, other licensed
				practitioners, or with other licensed health care professionals, the primary
				objective of whom is the diagnosis and treatment of the human body. A licensed
				practitioner may also be a contract provider for health maintenance
				organizations.
Miss Code
				  Ann. §
										73-19-1; §
										73-19-3; §
										73-19-9