Ala. Code § 27-19-39
Whenever any policy of insurance or any medical service plan or hospital service contract or hospital and medical service contract provides for reimbursement for any visual service in Alabama which is within the lawful scope of practice of a duly licensed optometrist, as defined in Section 34-22-1, the insured or other person entitled to benefits under such policy shall be entitled to reimbursement for such services, whether such services are performed by a duly licensed physician or by a duly licensed optometrist, whichever the insured selects, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any statute or in such policy, plan, or contract. Duly licensed optometrists shall be entitled to participate in such policies, plans, or contracts providing for visual services to the same extent as fully licensed physicians.
Ala. Code § 27-19-39 (1975)