Tenn. Code § 71-5-2313
Whenever under any program for aid to the indigent, the aged, the blind or any other group, which program is supported in whole or in part by funds of the state or of any metropolitan, municipal or county government in this state and which includes services within the lawful scope of practice of a duly licensed optometrist as defined in § 63-8-102, the recipient of such aid or the recipient's parent, guardian or conservator shall be entitled to choose whether such services are to be performed by a duly licensed physician or a duly licensed optometrist, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any other statute, except that in the case of federally supported programs, federal statutes and rules and regulations shall be followed where mandatory, and shall be paid for on a parity in accordance with a fee schedule established for such services by the department or agency, or both, administering the program.
T.C.A. § 71-5-2313