Advocacy Updates

ake Back Legislation Passes Ohio Senate

Senate Bill 162 is part of the pro-patient, pro-provider package of bills introduced early in the General Assembly. This bill is sponsored by Senator Bill Blessing and makes changes to the laws regarding insurance reimbursement take backs. This bill passed the Ohio Senate unanimously on April 15, 2026. The legislation does the following:

1. Changes the time for an insurer to audit paid claims to a period of 12 months. (currently they have 24 months)
2. Changes the time period for providers to appeal a take back to 60 days. (Current law gives 30 days)
3. Current law does not address the mechanism by which an insurer needs to notify the provider of a takeback (ie: USPS, fax, electronic). The substitute bill will require health plans to give notification of a takeback electronically if the health plan and provider have an established electronic system. 

Prior Authorization Bill Passes House

A bill regarding prior authorization, House Bill 220, sponsored by Representative Heidi Workman, has passed the Ohio House. The bill does several things such as prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage of a change in medication dosage on a medication that had been prior authorized and prohibiting insurers from retroactively denying coverage of mental and substance use disorder treatment. The bill also would prohibit insurers from charging a fee for appealing prior authorization denials and requires that the specialty and relevant qualifications of the clinical peer, who is reviewing prior authorization appeals, to be identified.

HB 220 passed the Ohio House by a vote of 84-11 on March 25, 2026 and will now be considered in the Ohio Senate.

All Claims Database

House Bill 716 from Representatives Meredith Craig and Kellie Deeter would create an all-claims payer database under the Department of Insurance. The public would have access to the database if they subscribe to the system established by ODI. This bill is being considered by the House Insurance Committee and had a sponsor hearing on March 17. 

License Reinstatement Legislation

The Senate Health Committee has heard sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 375, sponsored by Senators Manning and Huffman, regarding the reinstatement of a medical license. This bill would allow physicians who have had their license revoked apply for reinstatement. During questioning, Senator Manning affirmed there were no guarantee to getting a license back if the bill passed, it only creates a pathway to reinstatement. 

Physician in the ED Bill Introduced

Ohio ACEP is pleased to report that House Bill 789 has been formally introduced. This important bill, sponsored by Representative Thomas Hall, would require a physician be on site at all emergency departments at all times. Ohio ACEP knows physician-led care is critically important in the ED and that patients expect and deserve a physician to be on site when they present for care. This will be a priority bill for the organization and hope you will join us in supporting the effort by letting your Representative know this is a bill worthy of passage.

Bill Would Create License for Naturopaths

Senator Terry Johnson has introduced Senate Bill 385 to create a license for naturopathic medicine. These providers would be licensed by the State Medical Board. To be eligible for such a license, the applicant would be required to hold a doctoral degree in naturopathy or naturopathic medicine. License holders would not be permitted to prescribe drugs, perform surgery, claim to be physicians and other limitations. This bill had a sponsor hearing before the Senate Health Committee.

Want to Learn More?

If you’re interested in viewing the status of all of the bills Ohio ACEP is tracking, you can find that here.