N.J. Admin. Code § 10:94-4.3

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 10:94-4.3 - Low vision program

(a) The Commission primary caseworker or ancillary caseworker, with the approval of the primary caseworker, shall initiate a request for a low vision evaluation.

(b) Clients who meet the following criteria shall be eligible for a low vision evaluation:

1. 20/70 visual acuity in the better eye with best correction, or marked field restrictions if visual acuity is better than 20/70 (see N.J.A.C. 10:91-1.2); and

2. No upper cut-off, unless client is totally blind.

(c) Low vision services are provided for eligible clients every three years. Clients who have had a significant change, meaning a change in visual acuity or an increase in field restriction that affects the individual's ability to work or care for themselves independently, within the past three years may have a low-vision examination as an exception to the rule.

(d) Financial criteria for eligible clients shall be as follows:

1. There shall be no cost to a client for the initial evaluation.

2. There shall be no cost for a client for up to three follow-up visits when a low vision examiner has recommended low vision aids.

3. The financial need standard as specified in N.J.A.C. 10:91-3 applies to the up to three follow-up visits when a low vision examiner has not recommended any low vision aids.

4. The financial need standard as specified in N.J.A.C. 10:91-3 applies for optical or accessory low vision aids.

5. The financial need standard as specified in N.J.A.C. 10:91-3 applies when purchasing projection or electronic low vision aids.

(e) The examining doctor shall provide the client with the low vision aids, devices and/or custom made glasses for which he or she has received a Commission authorized/invoice.

(f) The Commission shall reimburse the doctor for aids, devices and/or custom made glasses for financially eligible clients, but shall not be responsible for ordering items from vendors, or shipping items to doctors.

1. Any exceptions to the ordering and shipping provisions in (f) above are made on a case-by-case basis and shall require approval of the appropriate Commission supervisor and manager.

(g) If custom made glasses cannot be provided by a low vision doctor, the Commission shall endeavor to obtain the services of a cooperating optician to fabricate the custom made glasses and be reimbursed according to the Commission's fee schedule as specified in N.J.A.C. 10:91-7.1.

(h) The Commission's eye health nurse may be requested or assigned to act as a resource person for consultation with counselors, as needed, regarding:

1. The appropriateness of the low vision evaluation request;

2. The low vision evaluation results and recommendations, of aids/devices;

3. The instruction in use of aids and/or devices; and

4. The appropriateness of recommended low-vision aids and/or devices as related to the client's current level of functioning.

N.J. Admin. Code § 10:94-4.3

Amended by R.2007 d.316, effective 10/15/2007.
See: 39 N.J.R. 2184(a), 39 N.J.R. 4399(a).
In (g), substituted "provided" for "made up" and "fabricate the custom made" for "make up the".