OSTEOFACTS | Student Study Break; One-Bite Helps Physicians

November 5, 2021

	There’s Still Time to Take Action As reported in last week’s OSTEOFACTS, the General Assembly approved HB 172, the fireworks bill, and it is now at Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk for signature. DeWine, who vetoed a different fireworks bill over the summer, has said he is inclined to sign the bill. But he has not yet taken any action. The Ohio Fireworks Safety Coalition, a statewide organization with more than 50 members—including the OOA—has sent a letter to DeWine asking for a veto. This is the last chance to stop this bill from becoming law. If you haven’t yet, please contact DeWine and urge him to veto the bill. HB 172 legalizes the discharge of consumer grade fireworks, including bottle rockets, firecrackers, and missiles with only minimal safety restrictions in place.
	Workers Comp Deadline Approaching OOA members get discounts on annual Ohio workers’ compensation costs. The program is administered by Sedgwick and offers quality service and stability through the complex workers’ compensation environment. The deadline to enroll in traditional group rating and/or group retrospective rating program is just around the corner: Group Rating - Sedgwick must receive your enrollment by November 17. Group Retrospective Rating - Sedgwick must receive your enrollment by January 26, 2022. Request a quote online here. For more information, contact Sedgwick program manager, Rejeana Woolum-Napier at 614-359-2403 or rejeana.woolum-napier@sedgwick.com.
	COVID Cases Still High, Downward Trend Continues The rate of new coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in Ohio has declined for the 5th straight week, though that downward trend appears to be slowing. An average 354 new cases per 100,000 Ohioans was reported this week, which is still three times the CDC’s threshold for high transmission. All 88 counties are above the CDC guideline, with Washington and Morgan counties at the highest rate. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) reported a 21-day average of 198 COVID-19 hospitalizations a day. The last time it was below 200 was late September. ODH also reported that 1,264 Ohioans died of COVID-19 in October. That puts October as the state’s 6th deadliest month since the start of the pandemic. The death toll from last month may continue to increase as reports are received. At least 173 of these deaths occurred among people in their 50s; at least 78 were in their 40s; and at least 28 were in their 30s. On average there are more than 41 Ohioans dying each day from COVID. As of yesterday, more than 850 Ohio kids ages 5-11 have received the COVID-19 vaccine since the CDC and the FDA gave final authorization earlier this week. Ohio providers received more than 367,000 Pfizer pediatric doses this week. The Vax-2-School program, which will award $2 million in scholarships, was expanded to include the 5-11 age group. The initial registration deadline is November 21. As of this afternoon, 59.14% of eligible Ohioans (age 5 and up) have started the vaccine process.
	CMS Issues COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate for Health Care Workers A new national requirement requires more than 17 million health care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) issued the rule yesterday that mandates vaccinations of eligible staff at health care facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs by January 4, 2022. Facilities covered by this regulation must establish a policy ensuring all eligible staff have received the first dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine prior to providing any care, treatment, or other services by December 5, 2021. All eligible staff must have received the necessary shots to be fully vaccinated by January 4, 2022. The regulation also provides for exemptions based on recognized medical conditions or religious beliefs, observances, or practices. Facilities must develop a similar process or plan for permitting exemptions in alignment with federal law. CMS had already required nursing home staff to be vaccinated. Vaccination rates for that group have increased by approximately nine percentage points – from 62% to 71%. More than 2,500 hospitals, or 40% of all US hospitals, have already announced COVID vaccination requirements for their workforce. CMS will ensure compliance through established survey and enforcement processes. If a provider or supplier does not meet the requirements, it will be cited by a surveyor as being non-compliant and have an opportunity to return to compliance before additional actions occur. The interim final rule with information about the comment period is here and a list of frequently asked questions is here.
	Medicaid Managed Care Support for COVID-19 Vaccinations Starting November 1, in an effort to boost vaccination rates in Ohio, Ohio’s Medicaid Managed Care Plans (MCPs), increased the provider administration fee for all doses of COVID-19 vaccines to $100 through December 31, 2021. In addition, a patient gift card program was established for Ohio Medicaid Managed Care and MyCare members aged 5 years and older to receive $100 for getting the first dose of the vaccine (or single dose of Johnson & Johnson). These programs are part of the MCPs’ Vax on the Spot campaign to encourage patients to get vaccinated. About the Enhanced Provider Reimbursement Program: On June 10, the vaccination administration fee for the first dose was increased to $100. Beginning November 1, the vaccination administration fee will apply to all doses delivered between November 1 and December 31 dates of service. FQHC, RHC and QFPP providers will also receive an administration fee increase through the bonus payment process. Ohio MCPs encourage providers to promote the vaccine with members as part of the Vax on the Spot campaign and have developed resources to help. About the Patient Gift Card Program: The member gift card program began June 10, 2021, initially offering $50 for the first dose to Ohio Medicaid and MyCare members 18 years and older. Starting July 26, the gift card amount was increased to $100 for members 18 and older and later expanded to 12 years and older. In November, the $100 member gift card program expanded once again to include members 5 years and older. This program will end December 31, 2021 - Please note that at this time the Pfizer vaccine approval is for ages 16 and older and emergency use authorization is in place for children 5-15. For more information, go to: Vax on the Spot website Vax on the Spot provider microsite Provider FAQ
	Marketplace Open Enrollment Started this Week The Marketplace Open Enrollment Period on HealthCare.gov runs from November 1, 2021 to January 15, 2022. Consumers who enroll by midnight December 15 can get full year coverage that starts January 1. The Ohio Department of Insurance has approved 10 companies to sell on the exchange: AultCare Insurance Company Buckeye Community Health Plan CareSource Community Insurance Company Medical Health Insuring Corp. of Ohio Molina Healthcare of Ohio, Inc. Oscar Buckeye State Insurance Corporation Oscar Insurance Corporation of Ohio Paramount Insurance Company Summa Insurance Company All Ohio counties will have at least two insurers and all but six counties will have three or more. A Marketplace 2022 open enrollment fact sheet is here.
	Confidential Program Helps Physicians The One-Bite Program allows a physician who is impaired due to a substance use disorder to avoid formal disciplinary action by the State Medical Board (SMBO) by using established confidential monitoring and treatment conditions. The Ohio Physicians Health Program (OPHP) is the sole monitoring organization responsible for administering the program and determining whether a practitioner is eligible to participate. Reports of suspected impairment are required to be made to OPHP. OPHP shall not disclose to the SMBO the name or any records relating to a participant under the One-Bite Program unless certain conditions exist and in accordance with ORC 4731.251(D). To find out more, see the OPHP website or attend an OPHP monthly webinar.
	Attention Students! The OOA Board of Trustees invites you to a study break reception next Saturday, November 13, at the HCOM Dublin campus. The event begins at 4:00 pm in the 4th floor lounge. The Board meets that day on campus and will adjourn in time for the reception. We know many of you are studying for an exam on the 15th—so this is the perfect chance to take a break. Chat with osteopathic leaders over dessert and a drink. Register now!
	Symposium Survey Still Open We really want to hear from you! If you haven’t taken the survey yet, please do. Your responses will help inform decisions related to the 2022 Ohio Osteopathic Symposium. Each year we work to ensure the Symposium offers a quality CME program. With the pandemic, we’re also working to make sure it is as safe and accessible as possible. There are issues such as employer restrictions on travel, venue requirements, capability of distancing, and other concerns that impact the event. The survey is very short. There are six multiple choice questions and should take about a minute to complete. Be sure to mark your calendar: Thursday, April 28-Sunday, May 1, 2022.
	P&T Committee Seeks Two DOs In accordance with ORC 5164.7510 the Ohio Department of Medicaid is seeking two OOA representatives to serve on the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee. The Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending medications and related products for the preferred drug list. The Unified Preferred Drug List (UPDL) is maintained through a review of current evidence-based medicine and based on the professional judgment of physicians, pharmacists, and other experts. The committee is composed of 10 members, including Nathan Samsa, DO, PharmD, and Jennifer Gwilym, DO, who end their service December 31. Meetings are held quarterly in Columbus. More information is here. If interested, contact Executive Director Matt Harney at mattharney@OhioDO.org.