ODH Recruiting for COVID-19 Vaccine Providers 

If you want to administer the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available, it is critically important to enroll as soon as possible due to accelerated federal timelines. If you have ultra-cold storage capabilities (below -70 degrees Celsius) and are able to administer COVID-19 vaccines to 500 or more individuals, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) asks that you enroll no later than Friday, November 6! Please note that not every provider needs to have ultra-cold storage capabilities to be a COVID-19 vaccine provider.

While it is unknown when the vaccine will be available, ODH is looking to review and process applications and conduct provider training as quickly as possible to be prepared to mobilize immediately with little notice. Enrolling as soon as possible also helps the state identify and address any vaccine provider gaps across the state.

To submit an application to become a COVID-19 vaccination provider, sign up online at the State of Ohio’s “OH|ID” and follow the steps outlined in this ODH instruction guide. Use the enrollment checklist to gather the necessary information.

Please note that if you do not already have an OH|ID account, this will be a two-step sign-up process. The first step will be to create an account which must be reviewed and approved, usually within 24 hours. After approval, you will receive an email notification and can go to the second step by logging into your new OH|ID account to complete your COVID-19 vaccination provider enrollment application.

For questions, contact the ODH COVID-19 Vaccination Provider Enrollment Team at covidvaccine@odh.ohio.gov.

Coronavirus Raging in Ohio

With 86 counties now at Red or Orange level and daily cases surpassing 3,000 for the first time, Gov. Mike DeWine said at his briefing yesterday “the virus is raging throughout the state, and there is no place to hide.”

Ohio again reached a record number of new cases reported in a single 24-hour period: 3,845. This is 7.1% higher than the previous record of 3,590 new cases set yesterday. Today’s record is 1,622 more than the three-week daily average of 2,223 new cases.

Ohio also set another record today for the total number of people hospitalized at one time with the virus: 1,629. It is the highest number since the pandemic began in March. Of these patients, 427 are in intensive care units and 226 are on ventilators.

New health data compiled by the Ohio Department of Health found that 43 counties currently have a very high risk of exposure and spread (Red Level 3), up from 38 counties last week. This represents the highest number of Red Level 3 counties since the launch of the advisory system in July. It also means that 78 percent of Ohioans are living in a Red Level 3 county. Less than 1 percent of Ohioans live in a Yellow Level 1 county.

Three counties—Cuyahoga, Clark, and Hamilton—are no longer on the watch list for moving to Purple, the highest level, though there are still serious concerns about spread in these counties. 

DeWine called for each county to create a COVID Defense Team consisting of county commissioners, mayors, local hospital leaders, health commissioners, business leaders, religious leaders, and other local leaders. Each team will be responsible for assessing COVID-19 spread in their communities, taking inventory of the assets in the community, and focusing on what steps are necessary to slow the spread of the coronavirus among their residents. 

Get Your PPE at the OOA Store

As the pandemic worsens, the OOA is here to help with your PPE needs.

We’ve teamed up with ActionPPE to help members secure personal protective equipment for their practices at a discounted rate from a vetted bulk supplier. Through this group purchasing plan, you can buy KN95 masks which include the FDA owner/operator registration and other specific language on the boxes; disposable tri-fold masks; gowns; face shields; gloves; and hand sanitizer.

List prices have been reduced—and OOA members get an additional 5% discount when you use the  code OHIODO-5OFF. Orders are placed online and shipped directly to your office.

Questions may be directed to support@actionppe.org for fastest service.

Scam Targets Ohio Physicians

The State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) issued a reminder this week alerting licensees to be aware of a scam targeting physicians.

Scammers have been calling and faxing prescribers stating they have been investigated for drug trafficking by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and their license has been suspended effective immediately. During one reported incident, the scammers called the physician’s office, faxed a fraudulent document to the physician using the SMBO logo, and used spoofing technology so it appeared they are legitimately calling from the SMBO office. 

Licensees receive an official notice of opportunity for a hearing either via certified mail or by personal service when the board proposes to take action, such as suspension or revocation. Information on all suspensions and the payment of all fines can be found via the official State of Ohio portal, eLicense.ohio.gov. Also, SMBO investigators will not ask for fine payment or personal/sensitive information over the phone and will never contact licensees via fax. Further, emails originating from true staff end in @med.ohio.gov.

If you would like to verify the identity of a State Medical Board of Ohio investigator, email a regional supervisor directly:

Eastern Ohio: Chris Forshey
christopher.forshey@med.ohio.gov

Central Ohio: Shawn McCafferty
david.mccafferty@med.ohio.gov

Western Ohio: Amy Myers
amy.c.myers@med.ohio.gov

If you are contacted by a scammer, please report the incident to your local law enforcement and the Ohio Attorney General by filing a complaint online at ohioprotects.org or by calling 800-282-0515.

Last Call!
Election Day is Tuesday

Have you voted yet? Be sure to check OOPAC’s legislative candidate survey before you do. Candidates continue to submit their questionnaires. To date, 44 responses have been received. The website is continually updated.

OOPAC is OOA’s political arm and supports candidates committed to protecting patient care by ensuring physicians serve as the leader in a team approach to medicine. The PAC also supports candidates who promote patient safety and quality care by guaranteeing health care providers treat within their scope of practice. Most importantly, the PAC supports candidates with strong ties to osteopathic medicine, including two DOs who are running for the Ohio General Assembly. State Sen. Terry Johnson, DO, is looking to retain his Senate District 14 seat in southern Ohio, and Rachael Morocco, DO, is challenging the incumbent in House District 67, north of Columbus.