07/09/2026

DeWine Signs Medicaid Program Integrity Legislation

Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 315, enacting a broad package of Medicaid program integrity and anti-fraud reforms approved by the General Assembly before summer recess. As previously reported by The Source, the final legislation reflects significant stakeholder changes made during the legislative process, including preserving paid family caregiving and exempting live-in family caregivers from electronic visit verification (EVV) GPS tracking requirements.

The new law increases criminal penalties for Medicaid fraud, expands provider enrollment and screening requirements, grants additional investigative authority to the Ohio Attorney General and Auditor of State, requires prior authorization for certain Medicaid services, creates a statewide EVV performance dashboard, and directs the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to transition SNAP EBT cards to more secure chip-enabled technology. Although the legislation includes several new oversight requirements, it does not provide additional funding for implementation. The Ohio Department of Medicaid must submit a cost estimate within 30 days of the bill's effective date.

LeadingAge Ohio will continue monitoring implementation of the new requirements and any additional Medicaid program integrity proposals that may emerge when the General Assembly returns for the lame duck session later this year.