It’s Time to Renew Your Membership

Thank you to those who’ve paid their 2020-2021 dues. A membership mailing is currently in the works, so if you need a paper invoice look for it to arrive in the mail next week. You can also safely and conveniently renew online.

The OOA, the only statewide organization exclusively dedicated to serving osteopathic physicians, is proud to work on your behalf. Thank you for your membership!

Statehouse News

HB 177, legislation that expands the scope of practice for APRNs, is on the agenda again next week in the House Health Committee. We are targeting the 18 members of the Committee to urge them to oppose the bill since it threatens the reliable assurance of safe and optimum patient care. OOA members and students who reside in a Committee members’ district have received an OOA Action Alert. These state representatives need to hear from their constituents that the physician-led, team-based approach is best for patients. 

If your state representative doesn't serve on the Health Committee, you can still send an email message through the OOA website.

In other Statehouse news, a bill announced this week calls for the General Assembly to address discriminatory and unpredictable health plan practices that drive up out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications. OOA is among the 40 patient advocacy groups and health care provider organizations that support the bipartisan legislation that would help low-income Ohioans and those with chronic, complex conditions, such as multiple sclerosis or hemophilia, with their co-pays and deductibles.

Specifically, HB 469 directs insurers to count all payments towards the deductible—whether made by the patient or through a co-pay assistance program from, for example, charities, churches, drug manufacturers. In recent years, health plans have refused to apply this portion, as part of a practice called “co-pay accumulator adjustment.” Four states have passed patient protection laws by addressing accumulator adjustor policies and several other states have pending legislation. Get the fact sheet.

The Ohio Senate Transportation & Commerce Committee considered SB 72 this week. The bill would legalize discharging fireworks, including Roman candles, bottle rockets, and firecrackers, on private property at any time, unless local rules state otherwise. The OOA opposes the measure and provided testimony in May stressing the need for fireworks safety. A similar bill is pending in the Ohio House.

On the Road with the OOA

This week, the OOA made presentations to the family medicine residents at Doctors Hospital in Columbus, OU-HCOM students for its Inter-Professional Development Series, as well as to the Cleveland Academy of Osteopathic Medicine’s Annual Meeting. 

The OOA appreciates the opportunity to provide updates to its family on items such as legislation and policy, Osteopathic Recognition resources for students, changes to licensure requirements, CME expansion, and more.

photo: OOA President-Elect Sandra L. Cook, DO, at the CAOM Annual Meeting.

Book Your Hotel Room for the Symposium

The room block at the Columbus Hilton for the Ohio Osteopathic Symposium, April 22-26, is now open. We always fill the block, so be sure to book your room early!

Reserve online or call the hotel directly at 614-414-5000. Be sure to mention code OSP to get the discounted Symposium rate of $185/night. The property is a AAA 4-diamond, full-service, upscale hotel located in the heart of a dining, shopping, and entertainment destination.

The Symposium offers an estimated 30 hours of AOA Category 1-A credits, networking, the latest in the art and science of patient care, and much more. It is the premier osteopathic conference in the state. Register today!

New Rules for Hospice Care Take Effect this Week

The Ohio Department of Health has finalized rules, effective January 23, for the admission of non-hospice palliative care patients (NHPCPs) to hospice care program (HCP) inpatient facilities and units for medically necessary care on a short-term basis. The rules were required per HB 286, which became law last year. A summary of the 15 requirements can be found here.

Additionally, the rules revise the definition of palliative care to mean: specialized care for patients of any age with a serious or life-threatening illness that is provided at any stage of the illness by an interdisciplinary team, including those seeking to cure the illness, that aims to relieve symptoms of stress and suffering; improve the patient’s quality of life; address the patient’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs; and facilitate patient autonomy, access to information and medical decision-making.

Pharmacy Board Publishes Guide

The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy recently issued the 58-page Inspection Guide: Terminal Distributor of Dangerous Drugs (TDDD) Clinic and Prescriber Office. The guide aligns with internal guidance used by Board inspectors and allow licensees to conduct self-inspections to ensure compliance. It includes links to the new rule chapters, important definitions, and reminders of when a licensee is required to submit notification or additional information to the Pharmacy Board.