Time for a boost!

All fully vaccinated Ohioans age 18 and older are now eligible to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine of their choice following action by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reviewed the authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Nov. 19, 2021, and recommended the following:

Pfizer/Comirnaty and Moderna booster dose
People age 18 and older who received the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for their primary vaccine series can receive a booster dose of any of the three approved COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer/Comirnaty, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson) at least six months after their second dose (or third dose if immunocompromised).
Individuals younger than 18 are not eligible for booster doses at this time. The FDA and CDC will continue to evaluate vaccine data to determine if or when that eligibility will be extended to teens or children.

Johnson & Johnson booster dose
Booster doses are authorized for all recipients of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine age 18 or older. These individuals can receive a booster dose of any of the three approved COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson) at least two months following the initial dose. 

Next Steps
Ohio COVID-19 vaccine providers can begin offering booster doses to all eligible individuals as soon as practical. Ohioans are encouraged to schedule an appointment online at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov or by phone at 1-833-427-5634.
 
Updated Resources
Guidance for Ohio Vaccine Providers for Administering Booster Doses

Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers

Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers
 
Vaccine providers with questions may call the ODH Provider Call Center at 1-844-9ODHVAX (1-844-963-4829) between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays or email COVIDVACCINE@odh.ohio.gov.

SMBO Seeking Comment On Rules

 
SMBO’s initial review of rules may result in a proposal to amend, rescind, or make no changes to current rules, and/or adopt new rules. Comments received will be reviewed and possibly result in changes to the initially proposed language before the rules are then filed with the Common Sense Initiative Office.
 
At this time, public comment is being sought on the proposed language for the following rules. The rule(s) and a memo explaining the proposed action are here and here.
 
4731-18-01 Definitions - Proposed to amend
 
4731-18-02 Use of Light Based Medical Devices - Proposed to amend
 
4731-18-03 Delegation of the Use of Light Based Medical Devices for Specified Non-Ablative Procedures
Proposed to rescind
 
4731-18-0 Delegation of the Use of Light Based Medical Devices for Specified Non-Ablative  Procedures
Proposed new rule
 
4731-38-01 Licenses Issued or Renewed Under the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact - Proposed new rule
 
Deadline for submitting comments is December 1. Send them to Kimberly Anderson at Kimberly.Anderson@med.ohio.gov with a copy to OOA Executive Director Matt Harney at mattharney@OhioDO.org.

Diabetes Resources for Medicaid Providers

The Ohio Department of Medicaid, the Ohio Medicaid Managed Care Plans, and the Ohio Association of Health Plans have joined forces to create a new tool for providers caring for patients with diabetes.  
 
The Collaborative has focused on initiatives to make it easier for providers to treat their patients with diabetes, and for patients to get improved access to supplies and support that will help them better manage their chronic condition. 

The Managed Care Plan resource webpage includes:

• Introduction into the statewide diabetes work
• Care coordination approach and roles
• Diabetic benefits outlined
• DSME/MNT resources
• Additional articles and information related to diabetes in Ohio

COVID Hospitalizations Jump Before Holiday

On Tuesday, Ohio reported more than 500 new COVID-19 hospitalizations for the first time since January.  
 
Today, the Ohio Department of Health reported 6,751 new COVID cases.  This marks the fifth day in the last week that new cases have surpassed 6,000.
 
As of this afternoon, 61.06% of eligible Ohioans (age 5 and up) have started the vaccine process.  That represents an uptick of about 60,000 since last Friday. 

Provider Relief Funding Reporting Deadline Approaches

If you received one or more Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments totaling more than $10,000 during the first Payment Received Period, you must report by November 30, 2021 to avoid further enforcement actions. The original deadline to report on the usage of funds was September 30, 2021, but HHS observed a 60-day grace period to help providers who didn’t meet the original deadline.

To get started, register in the PRF Reporting Portal. Review technical assistance resources on the PRF Reporting webpage for updated FAQs and user guides.

Real-time support is available through the Provider Support Line at 866-569-3522. Service is available from 9am-11pm EST, Monday through Friday.

On-Demand Even During The Holiday

If you're looking to enhance your Thanksgiving holiday with some medical education, you are in luck!  The most recent Simply CME session (originally held November 13) is now available on-demand.  

Simply CME is a multi-state consortium of osteopathic associations created with the explicit goal of offering the highest caliber of osteopathic CME for its members.  
 
The program offers 8 AOA Category 1-A credits and the flexibility to view the lectures at your leisure. Participants must complete the sessions by midnight Monday, January 3, 2022, and credits will be reported to the AOA by Wednesday, January 19.
 
The program includes:

• Psychopharmacology for the Primary Care Physician
• Common Lower Extremity Injuries
• Preventing Geriatric ADEs
• Tobacco Cessation: Leading the Way
• In Search of the Optimal Diet to Live Long and Live Well
• More than Pills: Contraception 101 for non-OBGYNs
• Interstitial Cystitis Bladder Pain Syndrome
• Technology and Clinic Workflow for Diabetes

Get the on-demand course here.

Gratitude

The Ohio Osteopathic Association works for you!  We may face unprecedented times, but our dedication to our members has never been more abundant!  We are incredibly grateful for the care you provide to your patients and the support you provide to the osteopathic profession.  The OOA thanks you for your membership and wishes you peace and joy during this Thanksgiving holiday.