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01/19/2021
Ohio’s New Legislative Session – The 134th General Assembly
January 19, 2021 - OSMA is proud to continue to represent you and advocate on your behalf. We believe that in 2020, our advocacy team laid the groundwork that will help us achieve more in 2021. We expect to see familiar issues resurface in the coming months, and we also hope to advance several new advocacy priorities this year.
01/19/2021
Help OSMA Set Our Advocacy Agenda
January 19, 2021 - As the Ohio Legislature begins a new general assembly, OSMA is working to formulate our advocacy agenda for the year, and we need to hear from you!
01/18/2021
Medical Board Update
January 18, 2021 - The State Medical Board of Ohio met on January 13, 2021. We've highlighted the topics discussed at the meeting that OSMA is closely following.
01/14/2021
Vaccination Update
January 14, 2021 - Governor DeWine and the ODH announced that Ohio will expand its vaccination efforts starting the week of January 18. New "1B" groups will be eligible for vaccination, and the state has also implemented a search tool for vaccine provider locations where the vaccine shipments have become available.
01/13/2021
2021 Medicaid Managed Care Survey
January 13, 2021 - ODM is gathering feedback about physicians’ satisfaction with Medicaid managed care plans. The information will be used to evaluate health plan performance and identify opportunities for health plan improvement.
01/12/2021
Temporary Relaxation of Physician Assistant Supervision
January 12, 2021 - The State Medical Board of Ohio issued the following update on January 6 to providers.
01/08/2021
OSMA's 2021 Annual Meeting Update
January 8, 2021 - Save the Dates! Our Annual Meeting will be fully virtual this year and will take place April 9–11. Details are still in the planning phase, but we want to share important dates for your calendar, along with the information that we do have.
01/07/2021
Ohio’s Vaccine Distribution Update
January 7, 2021 - As we continue to hear from practices with questions about vaccination, we have notified ODH of specific local level challenges. More vaccine allocations are being sent to local health departments weekly, so we are hopeful this will help with access.
01/06/2021
Federal Budget/COVID Relief Overview for Physician Practices
January 6, 2021 - The AMA has provided a comprehensive update on the impact of the latest legislation passed by Congress and signed by the president. Major items include updates to the Medicare fee schedule and billing, money for provider relief and small business support.
01/05/2021
COVID-19: A Call for Innovation and Leadership in Healthcare
January 5, 2021 - For the next decade, we will all be carried along on a jet stream of change. Ask yourself a simple question: will the practice of good medicine in 2030 look the same as good medicine in 2020? Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP, Chairman and CEO of OSMA’s liability insurance partner—The Doctors Company—provides his insight.
01/05/2021
Workers' Comp Insurance Program Update
January 5, 2021 - Our Workers' Compensation Preferred Partner, CompManagement Health System, has merged with CareWorks of Ohio and now will operate under a new name—Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio (MCO). Benefits and management will remain the same.
12/23/2020
Ohio’s Lame Duck Legislative Session – What You Should Know
December 23, 2020 - After weeks of significant legislative activity and some unexpected additional session dates for both the House and the Senate, the 133rd General Assembly inched closer to finishing work for the year this week. Dozens of key OSMA issues progressed across the finish line this week.
12/22/2020
Federal Legislation Passes Impacting COVID Relief, Medicare Physician Payment & Surprise Billing
December 22, 2020 - After several weeks of intense negotiation, Congress passed a comprehensive omnibus spending package that funds the federal government through fiscal year 2021. President Trump is expected to sign the bill. Here is what the major provisions in the legislation include.
12/21/2020
Update from the Ohio Vaccine Preparedness Office
December 21, 2020 - We want to share the Ohio Department of Health's "Weekly Update" from the Ohio Vaccine Preparedness Office. Get the latest on the pandemic vaccine news, resources and talking points.
12/20/2020
New Telehealth Policies in Medicare 2021 Physician Fee Schedule
December 20, 2020 - The changes for 2021 are designed to expand the use of telehealth technologies among Medicare beneficiaries. The changes in the Final Rule include the following.
12/17/2020
Latest Vaccine Rollout Guidance
December 17, 2020 - OSMA continues to communicate with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and the governor’s office about the vaccine rollout. This week, we received more specific guidance for physicians not affiliated with a hospital or healthcare system.
12/16/2020
Medical Board of Ohio Meeting Highlights
December 16, 2020 - The State Medical Board of Ohio met on December 9. Here is a recap of the meeting's highlights, including: light-based medical devices, weight loss prescribing rules, medical licensure renewal extension, and introduction of new board member, Yeshwant P. Reddy, MD, FRCS, FAAPMR, ABIPP.
12/15/2020
Be Aware: New Email Phishing Scam
December 15, 2020 - The State Medical Board of Ohio has been made aware of an email phishing scam that is being sent to licensees. The sender claims to represent the Ohio Secretary of State and is attempting to gain access to your personal information through a fraudulent request to validate your profile.
12/10/2020
Vaccine Distribution Update
December 10, 2020 - Get the latest updates from the Ohio Department of Health specific to physicians and other healthcare personnel. We are still waiting for information on specifically which physicians and healthcare staff will be included in the first phase of vaccine availability.
12/08/2020
OSMA Nominating Committee Seeks Candidates for At-Large Council Seats
December 8, 2020 - Are you interested in more actively participating in the work of OSMA? The OSMA Committee on Nominations is seeking candidates to serve as At-Large members of the OSMA Council. The Committee will nominate at least 4 candidates to fill 3 At-Large Council seats. The term of office is 2 years.
12/08/2020
Tell Congress now is not the time to cut Medicare payments
December 8, 2020 – As physicians continue to battle the worsening COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing they should have to worry about is cuts to their Medicare payments. Unfortunately, without Congressional action before January 1, 2021, that nightmare scenario will become reality.
12/03/2020
Medical Licensure Renewal Extended to July 1, 2021
December 3, 2020 – The State Medical Board of Ohio has released the following statement regarding the medical licensure renewal extension. All affected licensees are, however, still able to renew at their regularly scheduled deadline with a couple benefits to doing so.
12/03/2020
CMS Releases Policy, Payment, & Quality Provision Changes to the Medicare Fee Schedule
December 3, 2020 – On December 1, CMS released the final 2021 Medicare fee schedule rule. While there are some positive changes related to telemedicine coverage, OSMA joins the AMA and other states with concerns regarding proposed cuts to certain aspects of physician reimbursement.
12/02/2020
ODM Announces New Telehealth Rule & Other Billing/Coding Updates
December 2, 2020 – From new telehealth billing guidelines to an updated clinical lab fee schedule, new COVID vaccine codes, and the adoption of different codes for reporting urine drug tests—here are the details on the recent Ohio Department of Medicaid's announcements.
12/02/2020
Year-End Practice Planning Tips & Document Retention
December 2, 2020 – As the year comes to a close, many practices have questions about their files and record retention. As a reminder, you can access the OSMA’s medical records toolkit for tips on record retention, storage and what to do with records if you are thinking about retiring or closing your office.
12/01/2020
OSMA Joins the "Coalition to Stop the Spread"
December 1, 2020 – As OSMA continues to work to be ever responsive to the needs of Ohio physicians throughout this pandemic, we have recently stepped forward as a founding member of the Coalition to Stop the Spread.
12/01/2020
COVID-19 & Patient Safety in the Medical Office
December 1, 2020 – Medical offices must remain very attentive to the widespread outbreak of COVID-19, continuing to proactively take steps to safely manage patients while protecting clinical staff. Here are tips and resources for this season of the pandemic.
12/01/2020
Health Insurance for Physicians—by Physicians.
December 1, 2020 – When it comes to running and managing a self-funded health care insurance program, we think physicians can do it better! It’s time to select a plan managed by those who truly understand medical practice needs.
11/19/2020
More than 450 physicians take action to help remove controversial APRN bill from this week’s voting
November 19, 2020 – OSMA’s government relations team sent out a call to action last Friday which resulted in an extraordinary response—over 450 physicians, residents, and medical students all over Ohio reached out to their legislators to express their concerns and to urge them not to support HB 177.
11/18/2020
Free Training on Death Certificates for Disaster Situations
November 18, 2020 – The Montgomery County Coroner's Office in Dayton Ohio is providing free grant-funded death certificate training to death certifiers, in order to have death certificates filled out as they relate to disaster situations.
11/10/2020
Lower Your Health Insurance Costs for your Practice—Preparing for 2021!
November 10, 2020 – One of the biggest costs facing medical practices continues to be health insurance coverage for employees. Costs are rising and coverage continues to change year to year. Learn more about the options available through OSMA's HBP.
11/09/2020
Keep a COVID-19 Diary: Document Now in Case of Future Lawsuits
November 9, 2020 – What the future holds relative to the evolution of COVID-19 remains unknown, but it is certain that litigation for COVID-related claims is on the horizon and will impact physicians in all medical specialties and practice models.
11/09/2020
ONC Extends Deadline for Implementing Info Blocking Rule
November 9, 2020 – Responding to the AMA’s and OSMA’s advocacy efforts requesting additional time and flexibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ONC’s interim final rule now pushes the information blocking compliance date to April 5, 2021.
11/05/2020
OSMA's Election Recap – 2020 Results
November 5, 2020 – Get our overview of the election outcomes and how the OSMAPAC’s endorsed candidates fared at the polls this week.
10/29/2020
Alert: Ransomware Activity Targeting Healthcare Providers
October 29, 2020 – There are reports of a pending cyber attack targeting hospitals and healthcare providers. OSMA encourages physicians to contact their IT teams/advisors.
10/28/2020
Take Action on Proposed Medicare Cuts
October 28, 2020 – OSMA is joining the American Medical Association (AMA) and various physician specialty associations in advocating against proposed rate cuts as part of the proposed Medicare physician payment schedule.
10/28/2020
Medical Board Investigator Scam Warning
October 28, 2020 – OSMA President, Dr. Anthony Armstrong, urges the Medical Board to help physicians verify the Identity of Medical Board investigators.
10/27/2020
Competition in Health Insurance Study Released
October 27, 2020 – Earlier this month the American Medical Association (AMA) released the 2020 update to its comprehensive study of U.S. health insurance markets based on enrollment data as of January 1, 2019.
10/26/2020
Check Your Eligibility for the Latest COVID-19 Ohio Small Business Grant
October 26, 2020 – We are pleased to report that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced a $125 million grant program to help small businesses that have been harmed by the effects of COVID-19.The grants will provide $10,000 to small businesses in Ohio with no more than 25 employees.
10/20/2020
Ensure Your Voice is Heard—Make a Plan to Vote!
October 20, 2020 – Early voting and absentee voting are both underway. Whether you plan to do early in-person voting, voting by mail, or you attend a poll to vote on election day, we've summarized the details on all voting options to help with your planning.
10/15/2020
OSMA Partners with Buckeye Coaches to Remind Ohioans to Stop the Spread
October 15, 2020 – On Tuesday, October 13, Governor DeWine previewed a commercial that will run on broadcast and cable television over the next three weeks to remind Ohioans that we must stay diligent at wearing masks and social distancing to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
10/14/2020
CMS Offering COVID-19 Guidance & Education
October 14, 2020 – Stakeholder Engagement Calls are being held to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19, and a new webinar is available on optimizing healthcare PPE, supplies, and future trends.
10/06/2020
New Round of Physician Relief Payments Now Available
October 6, 2020 – The application process is open! On October 1, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $20 billion in new funding for physicians and other healthcare providers.
10/06/2020
Medicare Accelerated/Advanced Payment Revisions
October 6, 2020 – Last week, as part of the short-term spending bill passed by Congress, several changes were made to the Accelerated and Advanced Payment program. The changes relax many of the terms of repayment for physicians that took advantage of the program in March.
10/05/2020
HHS Releases Updated Version of its Security Risk Assessment (SRA) Tool
October 5, 2020 – The tool is designed to help healthcare providers conduct a security risk assessment as required by the HIPAA Security Rule and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program.
10/05/2020
COVID-19 Is Changing Liability Risks and Litigation in Healthcare
October 5, 2020 – Across the spectrum of care, healthcare delivery is changing as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, creating additional pressures to maintain patient safety and shaping new liability risks for hospitals, group practices, and solo physicians. The Doctors Company offers expert insights on how COVID-19 has changed liability risks and litigation.
09/25/2020
OSMA Launching Campaign to Encourage Immunizations
September 24, 2020 – Recent data suggests immunization rates are down significantly for children across the country. Join us in raising awareness to help remind parents that it is more essential than ever to keep children current with their immunizations.
09/23/2020
Telehealth Coverage—The Latest Changes
September 23, 2020 – There is pending legislation—draft rules and other discussions—to make permanent some aspects of the telemedicine coverage flexibility altered for the pandemic.
09/22/2020
OSMA President Meets Virtually with Medical Students
September 22, 2020 – The pandemic isn’t stopping OSMA president, Anthony Armstrong, MD, from virtually reaching out to the next generation of doctors to discuss the importance of organized medicine in advocating and supporting the profession.
09/16/2020
Governor Signs COVID-19 Immunity Legislation into Law
September 16, 2020 – On Monday, September 14, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed legislation into law which will expand civil immunity for health care and service providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
09/15/2020
Highlights from State Medical Board's September 9th Meeting
September 15, 2020 – From telehealth legislation and regulatory discussions to sexual misconduct education efforts and physician mental health concerns, here's a recap of the recent State Medical Board of Ohio's meeting.
09/10/2020
Sharing Concerns about the Pandemic's Impact on Physician Well-Being in Ohio
September 10, 2020 – Physician well-being has been a significant concern over the past several years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has now created many additional challenges. In response, several medical associations in Ohio came together to ask the State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) to take action to support its licensees.
09/09/2020
Provide Your Comments on How Medicare Measures Quality of Care
September 9, 2020 – CMS is seeking comments from physician practices on these proposed rules. Comments are due no later than 5 p.m. EDT, on Monday, October 5. This is your chance to provide feedback on how quality will be measured in the future.
09/09/2020
Updates Released on the 10 Essential Public Health Services (EPHS)
September 10, 2020 – The American Medical Association provided the following information to all states this week.
09/03/2020
COVID-19 Liability Protection Reform Bill Passes Ohio Legislature
September 3, 2020 – OSMA is thrilled to report that legislation to expand civil immunity for health care and service providers during the COVID-19 pandemic is now just one step away from becoming Ohio law. This is a victory in the face of considerable uncertainty in the medical community for months.
09/01/2020
Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic
September 1, 2020 – Each year, OSMA’s malpractice insurance partner, The Doctors Company, assembles healthcare leaders to discuss the most pressing issues affecting physicians, practices, and systems across the spectrum of care. The 2020 virtual discussion focused on pandemic experiences and what can help healthcare organizations navigate through COVID-19 and beyond.
09/01/2020
Medicare/Medicaid On-Demand Webinars Now Available
September 1, 2020 – If you missed the live Medicare & Medicaid webinars, you can still benefit from the recorded payer presentations and earn AAPC credit.
08/31/2020
CGS to Provide Medical Review Process Update on September 29th
August 31, 2020 – Ohio’s Medicare contractor, CGS, is offering a teleconference for practices on the Medical Review Process. The call has been scheduled for all Medicare providers/suppliers under the CGS J15 jurisdiction on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 2:00 p.m., EST.
08/31/2020
Upcoming CMS Webinar: Understanding Clinical Quality Measures
August 31, 2020 – On Sept. 15 or 17, learn how CMS is modernizing its approach to digital measurement with an engaging and informative overview of quality measurement, the unique features of electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) and future plans for digitization.
08/31/2020
CMS Announces QPP eCQM Scoring Issue – Check Your Data
August 31, 2020 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is alerting physicians to an issue that impacts electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) scoring during the 2020 performance year.
08/26/2020
Addressing Minority Health Challenges in Ohio
August 26, 2020 - State task force releases Blueprint of priorities to begin to further address these challenges. Governor DeWine appointed a COVID-19 Ohio Minority Health Strike Force—where OSMA President, Anthony Armstrong, M.D., was appointed as a member.
08/26/2020
Women’s Health Professional Development Opportunities from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Ohio Department of Health
August 26, 2020 - Two virtual training opportunities are now available: Telehealth Delivery Training for Women’s Health Providers, and Obstetric Emergency Simulation Training for Emergency Medicine Providers
08/20/2020
Federal Advocacy Update
August 20, 2020 - OSMA is your ally in Ohio advocacy—making your voice heard on key issues impacting the physician community. Here are the major state advocacy updates for August.
08/20/2020
Ohio Advocacy Update
August 20, 2020 - OSMA is your ally in Ohio advocacy—making your voice heard on key issues impacting the physician community. Here are the major state advocacy updates for August.
08/11/2020
Focusing on Physician Well-Being
August 11, 2020 - At OSMA, it is our goal to support physicians in a holistic way—professionally and personally. We know stress and burnout are serious issues facing the physician profession, and these concerns have become even more prevalent in the COVID-19 climate.
08/10/2020
Virtual Summit for Diabetes Healthcare Providers
August 10, 2020 - Ohio ranks in the bottom quarter of states with 12.2% of its adult population having diabetes. On October 3, the Diabetes Institute at the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine will be holding a virtual summit on diabetes care.
08/10/2020
Protect Your Practice & Patients—Beware of HIPAA Postcard Scam
August 11, 2020 - The Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has been made aware of postcards being sent to health care organizations disguised as official OCR communications, claiming to be notices of a mandatory HIPAA compliance risk assessment.
08/04/2020
Ohio Medicaid Suspends Episode of Care Program
August 4, 2020 - The Ohio Department of Medicaid will not conduct reporting or assess positive and negative incentive payments for the performance periods of calendar year 2020 and 2021. OSMA applauds this decision and will work with practices and ODM next year as it develops plans for 2022.
08/04/2020
Continued Flexibility for Medicare Regulations, Telehealth, and HIPAA
August 4, 2020 - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended the public health emergency for another 90 days through October 23, 2020.
08/04/2020
Health Insurance Coverage for your Practice—Preparing for 2021
August 4, 2020 - One of the biggest costs facing practices today continues to be health insurance coverage for employees. Costs are rising and coverage continues to change year to year. OSMA addresses this challenge by creating the OSMA Health Benefits Plan (HBP).
08/04/2020
Informed Consent: Substance and Signature
August 4, 2020 - OSMA’s preferred partner, The Doctors Company, outlines how an established physician-patient dialogue can prevent patient disappointment from ripening into a claim.
07/30/2020
OSMA Supports Withdrawal of Rule Prohibiting Prescribing of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine in Ohio for Treatment of COVID-19
July 30, 2020 - This rule would have prohibited the dispensing or selling of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in Ohio for treatment of COVID-19 thus removing a physician’s ability to decide if the drug was an appropriate treatment for his or her patient.
07/23/2020
Monitoring Medical Board Activity
July 23, 2020 - Even with the disruption in the healthcare system and governing process caused by the pandemic, the State Medical Board of Ohio continues to meet on a monthly basis and debates issues important to all licensed physicians in the state. OSMA continues to monitor these discussions and advocate for our members—here is our July recap.
07/23/2020
Supporting Ohio's Statewide Mask Mandate
July 22, 2020 - OSMA supports the announcement by Governor Mike DeWine of a mandatory mask/facial covering requirement throughout the state of Ohio in order to slow the ongoing community spread of COVID-19.
07/23/2020
Ohio Medicaid Making Relief Payments Available to Healthcare Providers
July 23, 2020 - The Ohio Office of Budget and Management (OBM) announced a program to give direct relief payments to certain Medicaid healthcare providers.
07/23/2020
Telehealth: Making Reimbursement & Regulatory Changes Permanent
July 23, 2020 - The following provides information on a survey developed by AMA and recently sent to every state. Help support OSMA's efforts by completing this Telehealth Impact Study Provider Survey.
07/23/2020
New COVID-19 Testing Guidance for Physicians
July 23, 2020 - OSMA has worked with the governor’s office and the Ohio Department of Health to provide guidance for physicians that can be used to inform your patients regarding how and where to get tested.
07/23/2020
Medicaid Extends Telehealth Coverage Emergency Rules
July 23, 2020 - With the initial emergency rule set to expire, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) announced the expansion and continuation of telehealth use flexibility.
07/16/2020
Mid-Year Advocacy Update
July 17, 2020 – It is an understatement to say that 2020 has brought us all many unexpected challenges. Together, we continue to be a strong collective force, and OSMA is pleased to have made progress with many of the year’s advocacy goals despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19.
07/14/2020
OSMAPAC Announces 2020 Election Endorsements
July 14, 2020 – As the political voice for the OSMA’s physician, resident and student members, the Ohio State Medical Association Political Action Committee (OSMAPAC) advocates for Ohio physicians by helping to elect state and federal candidates who support the OSMA’s policy agenda.
07/08/2020
"MaskPlus6" Campaign Resources for Physicians & Practices
July 8, 2020 - To highlight the importance of mask wearing and physical distancing, OSMA is proud to partner with Ohio physician organizations to launch a new campaign: Doctor’s Orders: MaskPlus6.
07/02/2020
Options for Opting-out of MIPS Reporting for 2020
July 2, 2020 - The American Medical Association recently provided the following update on MIPS reporting...
07/02/2020
Healthcare Coalition Advocates to Fix Taxation Penalty Embedded in CARES Act
July 2, 2020 - Nearly 20 health care provider organizations representing doctors, nurses, hospitals, dentists and more recently sent a letter to congressional leaders.
06/30/2020
Top 7 Insurance & Legal Questions for Resuming Medical Practice During COVID-19
June 30, 2020 - In response to concerns about the risks involved with reopening practices and resuming procedures, the following from our partner, TDC, answers the top questions from our members and doctors across the country.
06/23/2020
Governor Expands “Good Cause” For Refusing Suitable Work During COVID
June 23, 2020 - Last week, Governor DeWine signed a new executive order expanding the definition of “Good Cause” for refusing suitable work during COVID and allowing individuals to extend unemployment benefits.
06/22/2020
Helping to Fulfill Your Practice's PPE Needs
June 22, 2020 - OSMA is proud to partner with ActionPPE. This program is available to OSMA member physicians and practices as part of a variety of group purchasing vendor discounts and business supports offered to our members.
06/16/2020
Avoid Risks when Treating Stressed Patients during COVID-19
June 16, 2020 - While most resources are directed at screening for COVID-19 and treating affected patients, there is another important aspect of the pandemic: the impact on your patients’ mental health.
06/12/2020
OSMA’s Statement on State Senator Huffman’s Comments
June 12, 2020 - Today, OSMA President Anthony Armstrong, MD, spoke directly to Sen. Huffman, an emergency room physician and long-time member of OSMA, expressing the association’s concern with his comments and together they discussed how the association, legislature, public health officials and community members can work together to seek a greater understanding of race and its impact on health care in Ohio. Dr. Armstrong currently serves as a member of Governor DeWine’s Minority Health Strike Force.
06/12/2020
Ohio Legislative Recap
June 12, 2020 - This week, OSMA continued to work with state officials to advocate for physicians as decisions are being made on major health policy issues—including racism and public health, liability, telehealth, and mental health parity.
06/11/2020
Federal Advocacy Update
June 11, 2020 - This week, the OSMA continued to work with federal officials to advocate for physicians as decisions are being made on liability protections and relief payments within the next round of COVID-19 restarting and relief efforts.
06/04/2020
Ohio Legislative Update
June 4, 2020 - This week, the OSMA continued to work with state officials as decisions are being made on major health policy issues.
06/04/2020
ReStart Ohio – Healthcare Updates
June 4, 2020 - As decisions are being made on COVID-19 restarting and relief efforts, the OSMA continues to work with state and federal officials to advocate for you, our Ohio physicians.
06/03/2020
Federal Advocacy Update
June 4, 2020 - Congress passes Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act, while physicians urge Senators for additional relief for physicians.
06/02/2020
Physicians Call for Justice and Racial Equality
June 2, 2020 - Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) condemns the despicable killing of George Floyd and stands in unified support of everyone who peacefully protests his death while demanding justice and racial equality in all of our communities.
05/27/2020
Ohio Legislative Update
May 27, 2020 - Last week, elected officials at the Statehouse continued legislative activity with a series of hearings and floor sessions and made several key decisions on some of OSMA’s priority advocacy items.
05/25/2020
Federal Advocacy Update
May 25, 2020 - Organized Medicine Pushes For ERISA Plan Coverage of Telehealth, and an Update on CARES Act Relief Payments to Physicians
05/21/2020
"Health Care is Safe" Public Service Campaign & Resources for Your Practice
May 21, 2020 - As medical practices begin to reopen and resume elective surgeries and procedures, OSMA knows it is critical that Ohioans are assured healthcare facilities are safe and accessible for patients—we've put together some tools to help your practice.
05/20/2020
Ohio Providers Launch Campaign Touting the Safety of Health Care
May 20, 2020 - While COVID-19 has presented new challenges for medical professionals, Ohio’s leading health care organizations are assuring Ohioans it is safe to see their doctor or visit a hospital to seek medical care and attention.
05/19/2020
Comments Due Next Week for Medical Marijuana Rules & Light-Based Medical Device Rules
May 19, 2020 - Please note: the Pharmacy Board and State Medical Board both have approaching deadlines for comments on rule amendments.
05/15/2020
This Week’s Advocacy Round Up and COVID-19 Announcements
May 15, 2020 - There continues to be a lot of activity at the state and federal level in response to COVID-19, and OSMA was involved in a variety of advocacy initiatives this week. Here is an overview of advocacy efforts and new policy information both in Ohio and at the federal level.
05/11/2020
Ohio Physician Practices Can Access Battelle N95 Sterilization Program
May 11, 2020 - Since Battelle announced its new N95 sterilization program for hospitals that started at the end of March, OSMA has been working closely with Battelle to expand the program to all physician practices in Ohio. We are excited to announce that Battelle can now offer its unique decontamination service at no charge to medical practices of all sizes.
05/08/2020
Legislative Update: Liability Reform Protection Among Top Issues
May 8, 2020 - This week, the Ohio Legislature returned for several socially-distanced hearings and sessions. Several committees also met to proceed with hearings on several key bills, among them a Senate proposal concerning liability in light of the ongoing pandemic, and a House bill regarding surprise medical billing.
05/04/2020
Tips for Reopening Your Practice & This Week’s Managing Change Webinar
May 4, 2020 - Be sure to review these tips to ensure you are protecting yourself, your staff and your patients as you reopen your practice and expand operations.
05/01/2020
Major Change in Medicare Telehealth Coverage
May 1, 2020 - CMS has indicated they will be increasing payments for audio-only telehealth visits for established patients.
05/01/2020
Ohio's Re-Starting Healthcare Guidance
May 1, 2020 - Governor DeWine has issued detailed guidance on Ohio's Healthcare Phase-In.
04/30/2020
Free Live Webinar: Effectively Managing through Change
April 30, 2020 - "How to Lead & Manage Through Change" will be a live webinar on Wednesday, May 6 at 12:00pm EST.
04/29/2020
The Latest Recap on Federal Support Programs
April 29, 2020 - There are a variety of programs provided by the federal government to support healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some are specific to physicians and healthcare providers, and others are more general to small business.
04/27/2020
Governor DeWine Opens Healthcare System on May 1
April 27, 2020 - The governor’s office sent a press release Monday evening with details of his Responsible RestartOhio plan. The following section related specifically to his healthcare plan.
04/23/2020
Federal Funding and Policy Round-Up
April 23, 2020 - Today's update includes new information on the Health & Human Services physician relief funds, increased Paycheck Protection Program funding, and other Telehealth funding opportunities for certain public programs.
04/22/2020
Elective Procedure Plan, New Testing Priorities & PPP Fund Update
April 22, 2020 - News continues to change rapidly about state and federal plans related to COVID-19 and its impact on healthcare and businesses. Today, Governor DeWine announced a revision to the existing order related to essential and nonessential services.
04/20/2020
Live Webinar this Week
April 20, 2020 - "Maximizing Forgiveness & Minimizing Reduction for Your Paycheck Protection Program Loan" will be a live webinar this Thursday 4/23 at 1pm, EST.
04/19/2020
OSMA Convenes Meeting with Medical Organizations from Across Ohio
April 19, 2020 - During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s essential that organized medicine in Ohio works together to share ideas and information to best serve all physicians.
04/17/2020
Federal Relief Fund Follow-up Q & A
April 17, 2020 - Last week, OSMA sent news about the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) disbursement of the first $30 billion from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Here are more details and answers to questions we've received about eligibility, terms, and more.
04/16/2020
OSMA Advocates for Policy Changes at the Federal & State Levels
April 16, 2020 - Numerous federal and state policy decisions and announcements continue to impact the work of physicians and medical practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. OSMA is advocating on behalf of our members and all Ohio physicians to ensure these policy decisions are made in your best interest. Here are the updates on our major policy actions this week.
04/15/2020
Flexibility in Policies & Deadlines Impacting Physicians
April 14, 2020 - There have been a number of federal, state and other governing bodies that have granted flexibility to physicians in a number of ways—including regulatory reporting, licensure, certification and other requirements. Here are the details on several of these changes and what they mean for Ohio physicians and medical practices.
04/13/2020
Payers Institute Administrative Changes During Crisis
April 13, 2020 - There continue to be major disruptions in the healthcare system due to COVID-19, and most of the major third-party payers have made adjustments to various administrative processes, including prior authorization, quality reporting and telemedicine.
04/10/2020
Federal Relief Funds Arriving for Most Practices
April 10, 2020 - Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the immediate disbursement of the first $30 billion from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
04/09/2020
OSMA President Shares Insights at Governor’s Press Conference
April 9, 2020 - Today, during Governor DeWine’s daily press conference, OSMA President Anthony Armstrong, M.D. joined Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, M.D. for an expansive discussion on the impact of COVID-19 in Ohio, specifically how the pandemic is impacting Ohio’s minority populations.
04/07/2020
OSMA Advocates for Direct Relief Payments For Ohio Physicians
April 7, 2020 - Today, the OSMA joined the American Medical Association (AMA), national specialty societies, and other state medical associations advocating the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) dedicate a portion of the $100 billion in the CARES act allocated for the medical community for direct payment to physicians.
04/06/2020
Business Fraud Alert
April 6, 2020 - As physicians and practices across the state and country are keeping up with changes to the healthcare industry as a result of COVID-19, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has issued a fraud notice.
04/03/2020
A Note from the OSMA President
April 3, 2020 - As the new OSMA president, let me first simply say thank you and we are here for you. This is an unprecedented time, not only for healthcare providers, but for everyone in our communities. I realize physicians in every corner of the state are struggling with the unknown.
04/02/2020
The Doctors Company's Telehealth FAQ
April 2, 2020 - To support the medical profession during this unprecedented time, the following are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding telemedicine.
04/01/2020
New Guidance & OSMA Advocacy Efforts
April 1, 2020 - Here is a full update on recent changes and issues in which OSMA is actively engaged at the federal and state level.
03/31/2020
State Issues Order for Weekly Ventilator Equipment Inventory Reporting
March 31, 2020 - Ohio Department of Health Director, Amy Acton, MD, issued an order requiring all entities with ventilators to report their inventory by no later than 5:00 p.m. each Wednesday beginning April 1, 2020 until further notice.
03/30/2020
CMS Expands its Accelerated & Advanced Payment Program
March 30, 2020 - On Saturday, March 28, 2020, the Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a major expansion to its accelerated and advanced payment program. Most physicians in Ohio that have billed Medicare in the last 180 days are eligible for emergency funding to address cash flow issues.
03/27/2020
What’s in the Federal Coronavirus Stimulus Package?
March 27, 2020 - Congress passed a federal funding bill to provide aid in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. At about $2.2 trillion, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act will be the largest stimulus package passed in modern American history. OSMA will update information on our Coronavirus Business Support page about the stimulus package as any new information becomes available.
03/26/2020
Ohio Legislature Responds to the COVID-19 Emergency
March 26 - The Ohio State Medical Association is committed to keeping Ohio physicians informed on state and federal updates related to COVID-19, especially how they impact Ohio’s medical practices and healthcare professionals. Here’s a breakdown of the major items contained in the bill passed out of both chambers, including items related specifically to the health care industry, as well businesses and other community programs and services.
03/26/2020
Relief for Your Business
March 25 - The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions to healthcare delivery systems and most physician practices. New information is being released each day to assist small businesses and employees. Additionally, changes are being made that are specific to medical practices.
03/24/2020
Medical Practice/Business Relief Questions & Updates
March 23, 2020 - Here is a quick overview of upcoming telehealth and business relief information—as well as new details on liability/malpractice guidance, extension of prior authorization, quality reporting deadline delays, and BWC premium delays.
03/23/2020
The Latest State Orders & Clinical Regulatory Changes
March 23, 2020 - What do these latest updates mean for you? From the effects of the "Stay at Home" order, to the Pharmacy Board's emergency rules on prescribing, to PPE and COVID-19 testing supplies... OSMA's updates get you the latest information.
03/23/2020
COVID-19 Malpractice Coverage FAQs
March 20, 2020 - As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve rapidly, OSMA partner, The Doctors Company has created a Q&A to address your critical questions during this time. You are doing such important work on the frontlines of this coronavirus pandemic, and we are here to support you. Please continue to check back daily as we update the information.
03/19/2020
Update on Telehealth Changes & Resources
March 19, 2020 - Due to the unprecedented disruption to the healthcare system, many physicians are being forced to consider alternative options to see patients and stay viable as a business. We recognize you may be dealing with difficulties.
03/17/2020
All Non-Essential Surgeries Must Be Postponed
March 17, 2020 - Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, MD, has ordered hospitals and outpatient surgical centers to postpone all elective, non-essential surgeries and procedures indefinitely.
03/17/2020
COVID-19 Update
March 16, 2020 - As you are aware, the healthcare system in Ohio and across the country and world is in a state of flux due to issues related to COVID-19. After speaking to numerous practices over the last several days we recognize physicians and practices are looking for information and guidance related not only to testing/treating patients for COVID-19 but also simply how you can keep your practice open, safe and viable over the next several weeks.
03/16/2020
Physicians with a CTR: Reminder of Reporting Requirements
March 16, 2020 – Ohio Administrative Code 4731-32-03 requires each physician with a certificate to recommend medical marijuana to submit an annual report to the board that describes their observations regarding the effectiveness of medical marijuana in treating patients. Completion of this survey will satisfy the requirement in the rule.
03/15/2020
OSMA Council to Meet Virtually on March 21
March 15, 2020 – As you know the OSMA canceled its Annual in-person Meeting of the House of Delegates. The OSMA Council will meet virtually on March 21 to plan how the OSMA will accomplish the organizational business that would otherwise have been conducted at the in-person meeting, namely elections and disposition of resolutions.
03/15/2020
ODH Releases Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Primary Care & Outpatient Providers
March 15, 2020 – The coronavirus situation warrants a unified, consistent approach and requires primary care providers and other outpatient services providers to comply with the following course of action regarding screening and treatment of potential COVID-19 patients.
03/12/2020
OSMA Symposium Event Cancelled
March 12, 2020 – The Ohio State Medical Association’s Education Symposium scheduled for March 20 in Columbus, Ohio has been CANCELLED. Please save the date for April 9, 2021!
03/11/2020
OSMA Annual Meeting Event Cancelled
The Ohio State Medical Association’s Annual Meeting scheduled for March 20-22 in Columbus, Ohio has been CANCELLED.
03/10/2020
Coronavirus & Patient Safety in the Medical Office
The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread across multiple continents. Given that outbreaks are expected to occur at a community level, medical offices will undoubtedly experience an influx of patients seeking assistance. The question is: Are medical offices doing enough?
02/27/2020
Ohio Department of Health Issues Notice to Physicians Regarding Coronavirus
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to consider the health risk from COVID-19 to be low among the general public in the U.S. However, there is increasing concern that eventually community person-to-person spread will occur here as it has recently in countries...
02/18/2020
Doctors & Hospitals Win Again in Court on Price Transparency
On February 7, 2020 the 6th District Court of Appeals of Ohio ruled in favor of the OSMA, Ohio Hospital Association (OHA) and other health care organizations in its lawsuit seeking to prevent implementation of a price transparency law enacted in 2016.
02/13/2020
Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) is proposing some sweeping changes—give your feedback!
The OSMA advocated for significant changes to the Ohio Medicaid Managed Care Progra—and we were heard. Using our initial feedback, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) is proposing some sweeping changes to simplify physician and patient interaction with the system and again is asking for our feedback on the proposal.
02/13/2020
Modern Payment Solutions for Modern Medicine
With one simple, healthcare-centric payment gateway, hospitals & clinics can now give their patients the flexibility to manage their financial obligation anytime, anywhere. 90 percent of our clients reported an increase in cash flow from patients utilizing the Best Card payment platform.
02/06/2020
Doctors: How to Talk to Patients About Nutrition and Diet
Andrew M. Freeman, MD, FACC, co-chair of the Lifestyle and Nutrition Workgroup with the American College of Cardiology, explains that the drugs we use to treat heart disease can be wonderful tools, but they don’t really focus on a cure or reversal—they only control the disease.
01/30/2020
A Look at the Way HIPAA Impacts Digital Marketing
Violating the HIPAA Act by accidentally revealing protected health information (PHI) is one of the most common reasons for healthcare professionals to avoid engaging in digital marketing activities.
01/21/2020
CMS Scope of Practice Sign on Letter
OSMA joins with AMA and other organizations responding to Trump Administration’s executive order on scope of practice.
08/01/2019
Ohio Physicians Give Feedback on Medicaid Managed Care Program
Many of our members provide daily patient care to Ohio’s Medicaid population and thus are uniquely qualified to provide meaningful information to assist the Ohio Department of Medicaid in its upcoming competitive Medicaid managed care procurement process. The comments we received from our members generally centered on areas where improvement is most desired, including plan accountability, grievances and appeals, provider support, benefits and delivery, and care coordination and management.
07/23/2019
Wrap Up: Ohio Delegation to the American Medical Association
Your OSMA Delegation to the AMA worked diligently on behalf of Ohio physicians during the recent 2019 Annual Meeting in Chicago. Ohio resolutions were carried forward and either adopted as new policy or committed the AMA to continue existing policy for another ten years.
07/18/2019
Ohio Budget Process Complete
The OSMA Government Relations team has been engaging with legislators on health care-related budget items since the governor’s initial proposal was released, and has been following and participating in the ongoing debates about a number of health policy decisions.
07/18/2019
Terminating Patient Relationships
Just as it is an acceptable and reasonable practice to screen incoming patients, it is acceptable and reasonable to know when to end patient relationships that are no longer therapeutic. It is critical, however, to end the patient relationship in a manner that will not lead to claims of discrimination or abandonment.
07/18/2019
Ohio Physician Wellness Coalition Offers Online CME Courses
The Ohio Physician Wellness Coalition (OPWC), which represents Ohio physicians and hospitals and focuses on addressing physician burnout, launched six videos in its continuing medical education (CME) wellness video series.
07/18/2019
Training Managers Who Walk the Walk
Identifying and training role models in your business or practice is key to creating a positive, productive work environment. Which managers should you cultivate as role models to lead your organization?
06/06/2019
New Pain Management Toolkit Available
A new state toolkit designed to assist primary care doctors who prescribe opioids will be released this month by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
06/06/2019
The $4.6 Billion Price Tag of Physician Burnout
To put a price on burnout, the study authors culled data from recent research findings and reports — including direct or inferred findings on doctors cutting back on hours or quitting as a result of burnout.
05/16/2019
Ohio’s Health Value Needs to be Better Now
Ohio is ranked 46 out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia according to the 2019 Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO) Health Value Dashboard—landing the Buckeye state in the bottom quartile.
04/25/2019
Concerns about U.S. Measles Outbreak
A recent poll by The Doctors Company received 9,459 responses to the question: How concerned are you as a healthcare provider about the recent U.S. measles outbreak?
04/25/2019
Hiring Friends and Family at the Office Is a Bad Idea
If your sister is pressuring you to hire your nephew for that much-coveted summer internship position so he can get his “foot in the door,” don’t give in to temptation.
03/28/2019
The 3-Minute Guide to Creating a Modern Website
How to Go Beyond an Online Business Card and Build an Effective Online Presence...
03/28/2019
Dollars & Sense: The State Budget
Earlier this week, the state budget became a bill on Capitol Hill—or at least on Capitol Square in Columbus, Ohio. The OSMA has completed an initial review of the bill language...
03/28/2019
On-Demand Care for YOU
As part of its commitment to the well-being of all physicians in the state of Ohio, the OSMA Physician Well-Being Committee recently launched an online hub...
03/14/2019
Oxycon"tained" Again in 2018
Pharmacy Board Releases Compelling OARRS Data... This week, the State of Ohio Pharmacy Board reported that the number of opioids dispensed to Ohioans dropped by 325 million from 2012 or 2018.
02/28/2019
OSMA Goes to Washington
Earlier this month, several OSMA members along with the OSMA Government Relations staff traveled to Washington DC to meet with members of Congress to discuss how existing laws are affecting patients and practices.
02/28/2019
Lions, and Tigers and Boards, Oh My!
Vision for the Future Commission released its final report to the American Board of Medical Specialties Board of Directors early this month.
02/28/2019
This Bud’s for You (or Your Patients)
Within the first month that the medical marijuana program was running in the state of Ohio, nearly $1M in sales were recorded, but questions remain.
02/27/2019
Take Control of Rising Healthcare Costs
The OSMA understands the struggles to maintain an independent practice. This is one reason why the OSMA decided to offer an OSMA managed, self-funded health care plan.
02/15/2019
2019 OSMA Annual Meeting—Resolutions Posted
All resolutions received by the Wednesday, February 6th deadline have been posted to the website so you can start to review them. We will post background information as we receive it.
02/14/2019
Despite 21% Decrease in Overdose Deaths, Ohio Still Has Work to Do
According to a recent CDC report, Ohio saw a significant decrease – 21.4% - in overdose fatalities in July 2017 through June 2018; second in the nation only to Washington DC, which saw a 24.2% decrease.
02/14/2019
What is the OSMA Doing for You?
With a new governor in office and Ohio legislators back at the Statehouse, the OSMA is putting our advocacy agenda—based on the priorities of our members—in motion.
01/10/2019
Make Sure to Do your Annual HR Check Up
Now that 2019 is underway, it is essential that you make sure your company is in compliance with state and federal regulatory updates.
01/10/2019
OSMA Insurance Agency Announces 2019 Average Rate Renewal of only 2.9 Percent
Physician practices participating in the OSMA’s Health Benefits Plan (HBP) will see another year of rate increases averaging single digits. Renewal increases for 2019 will average 2.9%. This increase, along with plan increases over the past three years, show a four-year average of 4.5%. Significantly below the national averages.
01/08/2019
Ohio’s Lame Duck Legislative Session 2018 – What Happened & What You Should Know
The final months of 2018 were a whirlwind beyond the usual frenzied legislative activity of “lame duck” – with Ohio’s legislators staying in session until just days before the Christmas holiday, and returning for more action just days after. This scenario is extremely rare and hasn’t happened in Ohio’s legislature to this extent in decades.
01/03/2019
Physician Well-Being: The Real 5th Vital Sign
"The reason we should care about burnout is because it has the potential for serious consequences on the quality of patient care and safety, patient satisfaction, professionalism, physicians’ own care and safety, and the viability of the health care system..."
12/06/2018
Ohio Medical Marijuana Patient Registry Opens: What it Means for Doctors
The amount of product will be extremely limited, as growers and dispensaries come online throughout 2019.
Education
01/07/2021
Ohio’s Vaccine Distribution Update
January 7, 2021 - As we continue to hear from practices with questions about vaccination, we have notified ODH of specific local level challenges. More vaccine allocations are being sent to local health departments weekly, so we are hopeful this will help with access.
01/06/2021
Federal Budget/COVID Relief Overview for Physician Practices
January 6, 2021 - The AMA has provided a comprehensive update on the impact of the latest legislation passed by Congress and signed by the president. Major items include updates to the Medicare fee schedule and billing, money for provider relief and small business support.
12/02/2020
Year-End Practice Planning Tips & Document Retention
December 2, 2020 – As the year comes to a close, many practices have questions about their files and record retention. As a reminder, you can access the OSMA’s medical records toolkit for tips on record retention, storage and what to do with records if you are thinking about retiring or closing your office.
11/18/2020
Free Training on Death Certificates for Disaster Situations
November 18, 2020 – The Montgomery County Coroner's Office in Dayton Ohio is providing free grant-funded death certificate training to death certifiers, in order to have death certificates filled out as they relate to disaster situations.
09/25/2020
OSMA Launching Campaign to Encourage Immunizations
September 24, 2020 – Recent data suggests immunization rates are down significantly for children across the country. Join us in raising awareness to help remind parents that it is more essential than ever to keep children current with their immunizations.
09/01/2020
Medicare/Medicaid On-Demand Webinars Now Available
September 1, 2020 – If you missed the live Medicare & Medicaid webinars, you can still benefit from the recorded payer presentations and earn AAPC credit.
08/31/2020
CGS to Provide Medical Review Process Update on September 29th
August 31, 2020 – Ohio’s Medicare contractor, CGS, is offering a teleconference for practices on the Medical Review Process. The call has been scheduled for all Medicare providers/suppliers under the CGS J15 jurisdiction on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 2:00 p.m., EST.
08/31/2020
Upcoming CMS Webinar: Understanding Clinical Quality Measures
August 31, 2020 – On Sept. 15 or 17, learn how CMS is modernizing its approach to digital measurement with an engaging and informative overview of quality measurement, the unique features of electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) and future plans for digitization.
08/26/2020
Women’s Health Professional Development Opportunities from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Ohio Department of Health
August 26, 2020 - Two virtual training opportunities are now available: Telehealth Delivery Training for Women’s Health Providers, and Obstetric Emergency Simulation Training for Emergency Medicine Providers
08/04/2020
Continued Flexibility for Medicare Regulations, Telehealth, and HIPAA
August 4, 2020 - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended the public health emergency for another 90 days through October 23, 2020.
08/04/2020
Health Insurance Coverage for your Practice—Preparing for 2021
August 4, 2020 - One of the biggest costs facing practices today continues to be health insurance coverage for employees. Costs are rising and coverage continues to change year to year. OSMA addresses this challenge by creating the OSMA Health Benefits Plan (HBP).
08/04/2020
Informed Consent: Substance and Signature
August 4, 2020 - OSMA’s preferred partner, The Doctors Company, outlines how an established physician-patient dialogue can prevent patient disappointment from ripening into a claim.
03/16/2020
Physicians with a CTR: Reminder of Reporting Requirements
March 16, 2020 – Ohio Administrative Code 4731-32-03 requires each physician with a certificate to recommend medical marijuana to submit an annual report to the board that describes their observations regarding the effectiveness of medical marijuana in treating patients. Completion of this survey will satisfy the requirement in the rule.
03/15/2020
OSMA Council to Meet Virtually on March 21
March 15, 2020 – As you know the OSMA canceled its Annual in-person Meeting of the House of Delegates. The OSMA Council will meet virtually on March 21 to plan how the OSMA will accomplish the organizational business that would otherwise have been conducted at the in-person meeting, namely elections and disposition of resolutions.
03/15/2020
ODH Releases Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Primary Care & Outpatient Providers
March 15, 2020 – The coronavirus situation warrants a unified, consistent approach and requires primary care providers and other outpatient services providers to comply with the following course of action regarding screening and treatment of potential COVID-19 patients.
03/12/2020
OSMA Symposium Event Cancelled
March 12, 2020 – The Ohio State Medical Association’s Education Symposium scheduled for March 20 in Columbus, Ohio has been CANCELLED. Please save the date for April 9, 2021!
03/11/2020
OSMA Annual Meeting Event Cancelled
The Ohio State Medical Association’s Annual Meeting scheduled for March 20-22 in Columbus, Ohio has been CANCELLED.
07/18/2019
Ohio Physician Wellness Coalition Offers Online CME Courses
The Ohio Physician Wellness Coalition (OPWC), which represents Ohio physicians and hospitals and focuses on addressing physician burnout, launched six videos in its continuing medical education (CME) wellness video series.
06/06/2019
New Pain Management Toolkit Available
A new state toolkit designed to assist primary care doctors who prescribe opioids will be released this month by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
03/28/2019
The 3-Minute Guide to Creating a Modern Website
How to Go Beyond an Online Business Card and Build an Effective Online Presence...
03/28/2019
On-Demand Care for YOU
As part of its commitment to the well-being of all physicians in the state of Ohio, the OSMA Physician Well-Being Committee recently launched an online hub...
03/14/2019
Oxycon"tained" Again in 2018
Pharmacy Board Releases Compelling OARRS Data... This week, the State of Ohio Pharmacy Board reported that the number of opioids dispensed to Ohioans dropped by 325 million from 2012 or 2018.
02/28/2019
Lions, and Tigers and Boards, Oh My!
Vision for the Future Commission released its final report to the American Board of Medical Specialties Board of Directors early this month.
02/28/2019
This Bud’s for You (or Your Patients)
Within the first month that the medical marijuana program was running in the state of Ohio, nearly $1M in sales were recorded, but questions remain.
Legislative Advocacy
01/19/2021
Ohio’s New Legislative Session – The 134th General Assembly
January 19, 2021 - OSMA is proud to continue to represent you and advocate on your behalf. We believe that in 2020, our advocacy team laid the groundwork that will help us achieve more in 2021. We expect to see familiar issues resurface in the coming months, and we also hope to advance several new advocacy priorities this year.
01/19/2021
Help OSMA Set Our Advocacy Agenda
January 19, 2021 - As the Ohio Legislature begins a new general assembly, OSMA is working to formulate our advocacy agenda for the year, and we need to hear from you!
01/12/2021
Temporary Relaxation of Physician Assistant Supervision
January 12, 2021 - The State Medical Board of Ohio issued the following update on January 6 to providers.
12/23/2020
Ohio’s Lame Duck Legislative Session – What You Should Know
December 23, 2020 - After weeks of significant legislative activity and some unexpected additional session dates for both the House and the Senate, the 133rd General Assembly inched closer to finishing work for the year this week. Dozens of key OSMA issues progressed across the finish line this week.
12/22/2020
Federal Legislation Passes Impacting COVID Relief, Medicare Physician Payment & Surprise Billing
December 22, 2020 - After several weeks of intense negotiation, Congress passed a comprehensive omnibus spending package that funds the federal government through fiscal year 2021. President Trump is expected to sign the bill. Here is what the major provisions in the legislation include.
12/21/2020
Update from the Ohio Vaccine Preparedness Office
December 21, 2020 - We want to share the Ohio Department of Health's "Weekly Update" from the Ohio Vaccine Preparedness Office. Get the latest on the pandemic vaccine news, resources and talking points.
12/20/2020
New Telehealth Policies in Medicare 2021 Physician Fee Schedule
December 20, 2020 - The changes for 2021 are designed to expand the use of telehealth technologies among Medicare beneficiaries. The changes in the Final Rule include the following.
12/08/2020
Tell Congress now is not the time to cut Medicare payments
December 8, 2020 – As physicians continue to battle the worsening COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing they should have to worry about is cuts to their Medicare payments. Unfortunately, without Congressional action before January 1, 2021, that nightmare scenario will become reality.
12/03/2020
Medical Licensure Renewal Extended to July 1, 2021
December 3, 2020 – The State Medical Board of Ohio has released the following statement regarding the medical licensure renewal extension. All affected licensees are, however, still able to renew at their regularly scheduled deadline with a couple benefits to doing so.
11/19/2020
More than 450 physicians take action to help remove controversial APRN bill from this week’s voting
November 19, 2020 – OSMA’s government relations team sent out a call to action last Friday which resulted in an extraordinary response—over 450 physicians, residents, and medical students all over Ohio reached out to their legislators to express their concerns and to urge them not to support HB 177.
11/05/2020
OSMA's Election Recap – 2020 Results
November 5, 2020 – Get our overview of the election outcomes and how the OSMAPAC’s endorsed candidates fared at the polls this week.
10/28/2020
Take Action on Proposed Medicare Cuts
October 28, 2020 – OSMA is joining the American Medical Association (AMA) and various physician specialty associations in advocating against proposed rate cuts as part of the proposed Medicare physician payment schedule.
10/20/2020
Ensure Your Voice is Heard—Make a Plan to Vote!
October 20, 2020 – Early voting and absentee voting are both underway. Whether you plan to do early in-person voting, voting by mail, or you attend a poll to vote on election day, we've summarized the details on all voting options to help with your planning.
09/23/2020
Telehealth Coverage—The Latest Changes
September 23, 2020 – There is pending legislation—draft rules and other discussions—to make permanent some aspects of the telemedicine coverage flexibility altered for the pandemic.
09/22/2020
OSMA President Meets Virtually with Medical Students
September 22, 2020 – The pandemic isn’t stopping OSMA president, Anthony Armstrong, MD, from virtually reaching out to the next generation of doctors to discuss the importance of organized medicine in advocating and supporting the profession.
09/16/2020
Governor Signs COVID-19 Immunity Legislation into Law
September 16, 2020 – On Monday, September 14, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed legislation into law which will expand civil immunity for health care and service providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
09/15/2020
Highlights from State Medical Board's September 9th Meeting
September 15, 2020 – From telehealth legislation and regulatory discussions to sexual misconduct education efforts and physician mental health concerns, here's a recap of the recent State Medical Board of Ohio's meeting.
09/10/2020
Sharing Concerns about the Pandemic's Impact on Physician Well-Being in Ohio
September 10, 2020 – Physician well-being has been a significant concern over the past several years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has now created many additional challenges. In response, several medical associations in Ohio came together to ask the State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) to take action to support its licensees.
09/03/2020
COVID-19 Liability Protection Reform Bill Passes Ohio Legislature
September 3, 2020 – OSMA is thrilled to report that legislation to expand civil immunity for health care and service providers during the COVID-19 pandemic is now just one step away from becoming Ohio law. This is a victory in the face of considerable uncertainty in the medical community for months.
08/26/2020
Addressing Minority Health Challenges in Ohio
August 26, 2020 - State task force releases Blueprint of priorities to begin to further address these challenges. Governor DeWine appointed a COVID-19 Ohio Minority Health Strike Force—where OSMA President, Anthony Armstrong, M.D., was appointed as a member.
08/20/2020
Federal Advocacy Update
August 20, 2020 - OSMA is your ally in Ohio advocacy—making your voice heard on key issues impacting the physician community. Here are the major state advocacy updates for August.
08/20/2020
Ohio Advocacy Update
August 20, 2020 - OSMA is your ally in Ohio advocacy—making your voice heard on key issues impacting the physician community. Here are the major state advocacy updates for August.
07/30/2020
OSMA Supports Withdrawal of Rule Prohibiting Prescribing of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine in Ohio for Treatment of COVID-19
July 30, 2020 - This rule would have prohibited the dispensing or selling of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in Ohio for treatment of COVID-19 thus removing a physician’s ability to decide if the drug was an appropriate treatment for his or her patient.
07/16/2020
Mid-Year Advocacy Update
July 17, 2020 – It is an understatement to say that 2020 has brought us all many unexpected challenges. Together, we continue to be a strong collective force, and OSMA is pleased to have made progress with many of the year’s advocacy goals despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19.
07/14/2020
OSMAPAC Announces 2020 Election Endorsements
July 14, 2020 – As the political voice for the OSMA’s physician, resident and student members, the Ohio State Medical Association Political Action Committee (OSMAPAC) advocates for Ohio physicians by helping to elect state and federal candidates who support the OSMA’s policy agenda.
02/18/2020
Doctors & Hospitals Win Again in Court on Price Transparency
On February 7, 2020 the 6th District Court of Appeals of Ohio ruled in favor of the OSMA, Ohio Hospital Association (OHA) and other health care organizations in its lawsuit seeking to prevent implementation of a price transparency law enacted in 2016.
02/13/2020
Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) is proposing some sweeping changes—give your feedback!
The OSMA advocated for significant changes to the Ohio Medicaid Managed Care Progra—and we were heard. Using our initial feedback, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) is proposing some sweeping changes to simplify physician and patient interaction with the system and again is asking for our feedback on the proposal.
01/21/2020
CMS Scope of Practice Sign on Letter
OSMA joins with AMA and other organizations responding to Trump Administration’s executive order on scope of practice.
08/01/2019
Ohio Physicians Give Feedback on Medicaid Managed Care Program
Many of our members provide daily patient care to Ohio’s Medicaid population and thus are uniquely qualified to provide meaningful information to assist the Ohio Department of Medicaid in its upcoming competitive Medicaid managed care procurement process. The comments we received from our members generally centered on areas where improvement is most desired, including plan accountability, grievances and appeals, provider support, benefits and delivery, and care coordination and management.
07/23/2019
Wrap Up: Ohio Delegation to the American Medical Association
Your OSMA Delegation to the AMA worked diligently on behalf of Ohio physicians during the recent 2019 Annual Meeting in Chicago. Ohio resolutions were carried forward and either adopted as new policy or committed the AMA to continue existing policy for another ten years.
07/18/2019
Ohio Budget Process Complete
The OSMA Government Relations team has been engaging with legislators on health care-related budget items since the governor’s initial proposal was released, and has been following and participating in the ongoing debates about a number of health policy decisions.
03/28/2019
Dollars & Sense: The State Budget
Earlier this week, the state budget became a bill on Capitol Hill—or at least on Capitol Square in Columbus, Ohio. The OSMA has completed an initial review of the bill language...
02/28/2019
OSMA Goes to Washington
Earlier this month, several OSMA members along with the OSMA Government Relations staff traveled to Washington DC to meet with members of Congress to discuss how existing laws are affecting patients and practices.
02/14/2019
What is the OSMA Doing for You?
With a new governor in office and Ohio legislators back at the Statehouse, the OSMA is putting our advocacy agenda—based on the priorities of our members—in motion.
01/08/2019
Ohio’s Lame Duck Legislative Session 2018 – What Happened & What You Should Know
The final months of 2018 were a whirlwind beyond the usual frenzied legislative activity of “lame duck” – with Ohio’s legislators staying in session until just days before the Christmas holiday, and returning for more action just days after. This scenario is extremely rare and hasn’t happened in Ohio’s legislature to this extent in decades.
Member News
01/19/2021
Ohio’s New Legislative Session – The 134th General Assembly
January 19, 2021 - OSMA is proud to continue to represent you and advocate on your behalf. We believe that in 2020, our advocacy team laid the groundwork that will help us achieve more in 2021. We expect to see familiar issues resurface in the coming months, and we also hope to advance several new advocacy priorities this year.
01/19/2021
Help OSMA Set Our Advocacy Agenda
January 19, 2021 - As the Ohio Legislature begins a new general assembly, OSMA is working to formulate our advocacy agenda for the year, and we need to hear from you!
01/18/2021
Medical Board Update
January 18, 2021 - The State Medical Board of Ohio met on January 13, 2021. We've highlighted the topics discussed at the meeting that OSMA is closely following.
01/14/2021
Vaccination Update
January 14, 2021 - Governor DeWine and the ODH announced that Ohio will expand its vaccination efforts starting the week of January 18. New "1B" groups will be eligible for vaccination, and the state has also implemented a search tool for vaccine provider locations where the vaccine shipments have become available.
01/13/2021
2021 Medicaid Managed Care Survey
January 13, 2021 - ODM is gathering feedback about physicians’ satisfaction with Medicaid managed care plans. The information will be used to evaluate health plan performance and identify opportunities for health plan improvement.
01/12/2021
Temporary Relaxation of Physician Assistant Supervision
January 12, 2021 - The State Medical Board of Ohio issued the following update on January 6 to providers.
01/08/2021
OSMA's 2021 Annual Meeting Update
January 8, 2021 - Save the Dates! Our Annual Meeting will be fully virtual this year and will take place April 9–11. Details are still in the planning phase, but we want to share important dates for your calendar, along with the information that we do have.
01/07/2021
Ohio’s Vaccine Distribution Update
January 7, 2021 - As we continue to hear from practices with questions about vaccination, we have notified ODH of specific local level challenges. More vaccine allocations are being sent to local health departments weekly, so we are hopeful this will help with access.
01/06/2021
Federal Budget/COVID Relief Overview for Physician Practices
January 6, 2021 - The AMA has provided a comprehensive update on the impact of the latest legislation passed by Congress and signed by the president. Major items include updates to the Medicare fee schedule and billing, money for provider relief and small business support.
01/05/2021
COVID-19: A Call for Innovation and Leadership in Healthcare
January 5, 2021 - For the next decade, we will all be carried along on a jet stream of change. Ask yourself a simple question: will the practice of good medicine in 2030 look the same as good medicine in 2020? Richard E. Anderson, MD, FACP, Chairman and CEO of OSMA’s liability insurance partner—The Doctors Company—provides his insight.
01/05/2021
Workers' Comp Insurance Program Update
January 5, 2021 - Our Workers' Compensation Preferred Partner, CompManagement Health System, has merged with CareWorks of Ohio and now will operate under a new name—Sedgwick Managed Care Ohio (MCO). Benefits and management will remain the same.
12/23/2020
Ohio’s Lame Duck Legislative Session – What You Should Know
December 23, 2020 - After weeks of significant legislative activity and some unexpected additional session dates for both the House and the Senate, the 133rd General Assembly inched closer to finishing work for the year this week. Dozens of key OSMA issues progressed across the finish line this week.
12/22/2020
Federal Legislation Passes Impacting COVID Relief, Medicare Physician Payment & Surprise Billing
December 22, 2020 - After several weeks of intense negotiation, Congress passed a comprehensive omnibus spending package that funds the federal government through fiscal year 2021. President Trump is expected to sign the bill. Here is what the major provisions in the legislation include.
12/21/2020
Update from the Ohio Vaccine Preparedness Office
December 21, 2020 - We want to share the Ohio Department of Health's "Weekly Update" from the Ohio Vaccine Preparedness Office. Get the latest on the pandemic vaccine news, resources and talking points.
12/20/2020
New Telehealth Policies in Medicare 2021 Physician Fee Schedule
December 20, 2020 - The changes for 2021 are designed to expand the use of telehealth technologies among Medicare beneficiaries. The changes in the Final Rule include the following.
12/17/2020
Latest Vaccine Rollout Guidance
December 17, 2020 - OSMA continues to communicate with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and the governor’s office about the vaccine rollout. This week, we received more specific guidance for physicians not affiliated with a hospital or healthcare system.
12/16/2020
Medical Board of Ohio Meeting Highlights
December 16, 2020 - The State Medical Board of Ohio met on December 9. Here is a recap of the meeting's highlights, including: light-based medical devices, weight loss prescribing rules, medical licensure renewal extension, and introduction of new board member, Yeshwant P. Reddy, MD, FRCS, FAAPMR, ABIPP.
12/15/2020
Be Aware: New Email Phishing Scam
December 15, 2020 - The State Medical Board of Ohio has been made aware of an email phishing scam that is being sent to licensees. The sender claims to represent the Ohio Secretary of State and is attempting to gain access to your personal information through a fraudulent request to validate your profile.
12/10/2020
Vaccine Distribution Update
December 10, 2020 - Get the latest updates from the Ohio Department of Health specific to physicians and other healthcare personnel. We are still waiting for information on specifically which physicians and healthcare staff will be included in the first phase of vaccine availability.
12/08/2020
OSMA Nominating Committee Seeks Candidates for At-Large Council Seats
December 8, 2020 - Are you interested in more actively participating in the work of OSMA? The OSMA Committee on Nominations is seeking candidates to serve as At-Large members of the OSMA Council. The Committee will nominate at least 4 candidates to fill 3 At-Large Council seats. The term of office is 2 years.
12/08/2020
Tell Congress now is not the time to cut Medicare payments
December 8, 2020 – As physicians continue to battle the worsening COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing they should have to worry about is cuts to their Medicare payments. Unfortunately, without Congressional action before January 1, 2021, that nightmare scenario will become reality.
12/03/2020
Medical Licensure Renewal Extended to July 1, 2021
December 3, 2020 – The State Medical Board of Ohio has released the following statement regarding the medical licensure renewal extension. All affected licensees are, however, still able to renew at their regularly scheduled deadline with a couple benefits to doing so.
12/03/2020
CMS Releases Policy, Payment, & Quality Provision Changes to the Medicare Fee Schedule
December 3, 2020 – On December 1, CMS released the final 2021 Medicare fee schedule rule. While there are some positive changes related to telemedicine coverage, OSMA joins the AMA and other states with concerns regarding proposed cuts to certain aspects of physician reimbursement.
12/02/2020
ODM Announces New Telehealth Rule & Other Billing/Coding Updates
December 2, 2020 – From new telehealth billing guidelines to an updated clinical lab fee schedule, new COVID vaccine codes, and the adoption of different codes for reporting urine drug tests—here are the details on the recent Ohio Department of Medicaid's announcements.
12/02/2020
Year-End Practice Planning Tips & Document Retention
December 2, 2020 – As the year comes to a close, many practices have questions about their files and record retention. As a reminder, you can access the OSMA’s medical records toolkit for tips on record retention, storage and what to do with records if you are thinking about retiring or closing your office.
12/01/2020
OSMA Joins the "Coalition to Stop the Spread"
December 1, 2020 – As OSMA continues to work to be ever responsive to the needs of Ohio physicians throughout this pandemic, we have recently stepped forward as a founding member of the Coalition to Stop the Spread.
12/01/2020
COVID-19 & Patient Safety in the Medical Office
December 1, 2020 – Medical offices must remain very attentive to the widespread outbreak of COVID-19, continuing to proactively take steps to safely manage patients while protecting clinical staff. Here are tips and resources for this season of the pandemic.
12/01/2020
Health Insurance for Physicians—by Physicians.
December 1, 2020 – When it comes to running and managing a self-funded health care insurance program, we think physicians can do it better! It’s time to select a plan managed by those who truly understand medical practice needs.
11/19/2020
More than 450 physicians take action to help remove controversial APRN bill from this week’s voting
November 19, 2020 – OSMA’s government relations team sent out a call to action last Friday which resulted in an extraordinary response—over 450 physicians, residents, and medical students all over Ohio reached out to their legislators to express their concerns and to urge them not to support HB 177.
11/18/2020
Free Training on Death Certificates for Disaster Situations
November 18, 2020 – The Montgomery County Coroner's Office in Dayton Ohio is providing free grant-funded death certificate training to death certifiers, in order to have death certificates filled out as they relate to disaster situations.
11/10/2020
Lower Your Health Insurance Costs for your Practice—Preparing for 2021!
November 10, 2020 – One of the biggest costs facing medical practices continues to be health insurance coverage for employees. Costs are rising and coverage continues to change year to year. Learn more about the options available through OSMA's HBP.
11/09/2020
Keep a COVID-19 Diary: Document Now in Case of Future Lawsuits
November 9, 2020 – What the future holds relative to the evolution of COVID-19 remains unknown, but it is certain that litigation for COVID-related claims is on the horizon and will impact physicians in all medical specialties and practice models.
11/09/2020
ONC Extends Deadline for Implementing Info Blocking Rule
November 9, 2020 – Responding to the AMA’s and OSMA’s advocacy efforts requesting additional time and flexibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ONC’s interim final rule now pushes the information blocking compliance date to April 5, 2021.
11/05/2020
OSMA's Election Recap – 2020 Results
November 5, 2020 – Get our overview of the election outcomes and how the OSMAPAC’s endorsed candidates fared at the polls this week.
10/29/2020
Alert: Ransomware Activity Targeting Healthcare Providers
October 29, 2020 – There are reports of a pending cyber attack targeting hospitals and healthcare providers. OSMA encourages physicians to contact their IT teams/advisors.
10/28/2020
Take Action on Proposed Medicare Cuts
October 28, 2020 – OSMA is joining the American Medical Association (AMA) and various physician specialty associations in advocating against proposed rate cuts as part of the proposed Medicare physician payment schedule.
10/28/2020
Medical Board Investigator Scam Warning
October 28, 2020 – OSMA President, Dr. Anthony Armstrong, urges the Medical Board to help physicians verify the Identity of Medical Board investigators.
10/27/2020
Competition in Health Insurance Study Released
October 27, 2020 – Earlier this month the American Medical Association (AMA) released the 2020 update to its comprehensive study of U.S. health insurance markets based on enrollment data as of January 1, 2019.
10/26/2020
Check Your Eligibility for the Latest COVID-19 Ohio Small Business Grant
October 26, 2020 – We are pleased to report that Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced a $125 million grant program to help small businesses that have been harmed by the effects of COVID-19.The grants will provide $10,000 to small businesses in Ohio with no more than 25 employees.
10/20/2020
Ensure Your Voice is Heard—Make a Plan to Vote!
October 20, 2020 – Early voting and absentee voting are both underway. Whether you plan to do early in-person voting, voting by mail, or you attend a poll to vote on election day, we've summarized the details on all voting options to help with your planning.
10/15/2020
OSMA Partners with Buckeye Coaches to Remind Ohioans to Stop the Spread
October 15, 2020 – On Tuesday, October 13, Governor DeWine previewed a commercial that will run on broadcast and cable television over the next three weeks to remind Ohioans that we must stay diligent at wearing masks and social distancing to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
10/14/2020
CMS Offering COVID-19 Guidance & Education
October 14, 2020 – Stakeholder Engagement Calls are being held to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19, and a new webinar is available on optimizing healthcare PPE, supplies, and future trends.
10/06/2020
New Round of Physician Relief Payments Now Available
October 6, 2020 – The application process is open! On October 1, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $20 billion in new funding for physicians and other healthcare providers.
10/06/2020
Medicare Accelerated/Advanced Payment Revisions
October 6, 2020 – Last week, as part of the short-term spending bill passed by Congress, several changes were made to the Accelerated and Advanced Payment program. The changes relax many of the terms of repayment for physicians that took advantage of the program in March.
10/05/2020
HHS Releases Updated Version of its Security Risk Assessment (SRA) Tool
October 5, 2020 – The tool is designed to help healthcare providers conduct a security risk assessment as required by the HIPAA Security Rule and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program.
10/05/2020
COVID-19 Is Changing Liability Risks and Litigation in Healthcare
October 5, 2020 – Across the spectrum of care, healthcare delivery is changing as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, creating additional pressures to maintain patient safety and shaping new liability risks for hospitals, group practices, and solo physicians. The Doctors Company offers expert insights on how COVID-19 has changed liability risks and litigation.
09/25/2020
OSMA Launching Campaign to Encourage Immunizations
September 24, 2020 – Recent data suggests immunization rates are down significantly for children across the country. Join us in raising awareness to help remind parents that it is more essential than ever to keep children current with their immunizations.
09/23/2020
Telehealth Coverage—The Latest Changes
September 23, 2020 – There is pending legislation—draft rules and other discussions—to make permanent some aspects of the telemedicine coverage flexibility altered for the pandemic.
09/22/2020
OSMA President Meets Virtually with Medical Students
September 22, 2020 – The pandemic isn’t stopping OSMA president, Anthony Armstrong, MD, from virtually reaching out to the next generation of doctors to discuss the importance of organized medicine in advocating and supporting the profession.
09/16/2020
Governor Signs COVID-19 Immunity Legislation into Law
September 16, 2020 – On Monday, September 14, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed legislation into law which will expand civil immunity for health care and service providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
09/15/2020
Highlights from State Medical Board's September 9th Meeting
September 15, 2020 – From telehealth legislation and regulatory discussions to sexual misconduct education efforts and physician mental health concerns, here's a recap of the recent State Medical Board of Ohio's meeting.
09/10/2020
Sharing Concerns about the Pandemic's Impact on Physician Well-Being in Ohio
September 10, 2020 – Physician well-being has been a significant concern over the past several years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has now created many additional challenges. In response, several medical associations in Ohio came together to ask the State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) to take action to support its licensees.
09/09/2020
Provide Your Comments on How Medicare Measures Quality of Care
September 9, 2020 – CMS is seeking comments from physician practices on these proposed rules. Comments are due no later than 5 p.m. EDT, on Monday, October 5. This is your chance to provide feedback on how quality will be measured in the future.
09/09/2020
Updates Released on the 10 Essential Public Health Services (EPHS)
September 10, 2020 – The American Medical Association provided the following information to all states this week.
09/03/2020
COVID-19 Liability Protection Reform Bill Passes Ohio Legislature
September 3, 2020 – OSMA is thrilled to report that legislation to expand civil immunity for health care and service providers during the COVID-19 pandemic is now just one step away from becoming Ohio law. This is a victory in the face of considerable uncertainty in the medical community for months.
09/01/2020
Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic
September 1, 2020 – Each year, OSMA’s malpractice insurance partner, The Doctors Company, assembles healthcare leaders to discuss the most pressing issues affecting physicians, practices, and systems across the spectrum of care. The 2020 virtual discussion focused on pandemic experiences and what can help healthcare organizations navigate through COVID-19 and beyond.
09/01/2020
Medicare/Medicaid On-Demand Webinars Now Available
September 1, 2020 – If you missed the live Medicare & Medicaid webinars, you can still benefit from the recorded payer presentations and earn AAPC credit.
08/31/2020
CGS to Provide Medical Review Process Update on September 29th
August 31, 2020 – Ohio’s Medicare contractor, CGS, is offering a teleconference for practices on the Medical Review Process. The call has been scheduled for all Medicare providers/suppliers under the CGS J15 jurisdiction on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 2:00 p.m., EST.
08/31/2020
Upcoming CMS Webinar: Understanding Clinical Quality Measures
August 31, 2020 – On Sept. 15 or 17, learn how CMS is modernizing its approach to digital measurement with an engaging and informative overview of quality measurement, the unique features of electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) and future plans for digitization.
08/31/2020
CMS Announces QPP eCQM Scoring Issue – Check Your Data
August 31, 2020 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is alerting physicians to an issue that impacts electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) scoring during the 2020 performance year.
08/26/2020
Addressing Minority Health Challenges in Ohio
August 26, 2020 - State task force releases Blueprint of priorities to begin to further address these challenges. Governor DeWine appointed a COVID-19 Ohio Minority Health Strike Force—where OSMA President, Anthony Armstrong, M.D., was appointed as a member.
08/26/2020
Women’s Health Professional Development Opportunities from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Ohio Department of Health
August 26, 2020 - Two virtual training opportunities are now available: Telehealth Delivery Training for Women’s Health Providers, and Obstetric Emergency Simulation Training for Emergency Medicine Providers
08/20/2020
Federal Advocacy Update
August 20, 2020 - OSMA is your ally in Ohio advocacy—making your voice heard on key issues impacting the physician community. Here are the major state advocacy updates for August.
08/20/2020
Ohio Advocacy Update
August 20, 2020 - OSMA is your ally in Ohio advocacy—making your voice heard on key issues impacting the physician community. Here are the major state advocacy updates for August.
08/11/2020
Focusing on Physician Well-Being
August 11, 2020 - At OSMA, it is our goal to support physicians in a holistic way—professionally and personally. We know stress and burnout are serious issues facing the physician profession, and these concerns have become even more prevalent in the COVID-19 climate.
08/10/2020
Virtual Summit for Diabetes Healthcare Providers
August 10, 2020 - Ohio ranks in the bottom quarter of states with 12.2% of its adult population having diabetes. On October 3, the Diabetes Institute at the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine will be holding a virtual summit on diabetes care.
08/10/2020
Protect Your Practice & Patients—Beware of HIPAA Postcard Scam
August 11, 2020 - The Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has been made aware of postcards being sent to health care organizations disguised as official OCR communications, claiming to be notices of a mandatory HIPAA compliance risk assessment.
08/04/2020
Ohio Medicaid Suspends Episode of Care Program
August 4, 2020 - The Ohio Department of Medicaid will not conduct reporting or assess positive and negative incentive payments for the performance periods of calendar year 2020 and 2021. OSMA applauds this decision and will work with practices and ODM next year as it develops plans for 2022.
08/04/2020
Continued Flexibility for Medicare Regulations, Telehealth, and HIPAA
August 4, 2020 - The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended the public health emergency for another 90 days through October 23, 2020.
08/04/2020
Health Insurance Coverage for your Practice—Preparing for 2021
August 4, 2020 - One of the biggest costs facing practices today continues to be health insurance coverage for employees. Costs are rising and coverage continues to change year to year. OSMA addresses this challenge by creating the OSMA Health Benefits Plan (HBP).
08/04/2020
Informed Consent: Substance and Signature
August 4, 2020 - OSMA’s preferred partner, The Doctors Company, outlines how an established physician-patient dialogue can prevent patient disappointment from ripening into a claim.
07/16/2020
Mid-Year Advocacy Update
July 17, 2020 – It is an understatement to say that 2020 has brought us all many unexpected challenges. Together, we continue to be a strong collective force, and OSMA is pleased to have made progress with many of the year’s advocacy goals despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19.
07/14/2020
OSMAPAC Announces 2020 Election Endorsements
July 14, 2020 – As the political voice for the OSMA’s physician, resident and student members, the Ohio State Medical Association Political Action Committee (OSMAPAC) advocates for Ohio physicians by helping to elect state and federal candidates who support the OSMA’s policy agenda.
05/11/2020
Ohio Physician Practices Can Access Battelle N95 Sterilization Program
May 11, 2020 - Since Battelle announced its new N95 sterilization program for hospitals that started at the end of March, OSMA has been working closely with Battelle to expand the program to all physician practices in Ohio. We are excited to announce that Battelle can now offer its unique decontamination service at no charge to medical practices of all sizes.
05/08/2020
Legislative Update: Liability Reform Protection Among Top Issues
May 8, 2020 - This week, the Ohio Legislature returned for several socially-distanced hearings and sessions. Several committees also met to proceed with hearings on several key bills, among them a Senate proposal concerning liability in light of the ongoing pandemic, and a House bill regarding surprise medical billing.
05/04/2020
Tips for Reopening Your Practice & This Week’s Managing Change Webinar
May 4, 2020 - Be sure to review these tips to ensure you are protecting yourself, your staff and your patients as you reopen your practice and expand operations.
05/01/2020
Major Change in Medicare Telehealth Coverage
May 1, 2020 - CMS has indicated they will be increasing payments for audio-only telehealth visits for established patients.
05/01/2020
Ohio's Re-Starting Healthcare Guidance
May 1, 2020 - Governor DeWine has issued detailed guidance on Ohio's Healthcare Phase-In.
04/30/2020
Free Live Webinar: Effectively Managing through Change
April 30, 2020 - "How to Lead & Manage Through Change" will be a live webinar on Wednesday, May 6 at 12:00pm EST.
04/29/2020
The Latest Recap on Federal Support Programs
April 29, 2020 - There are a variety of programs provided by the federal government to support healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some are specific to physicians and healthcare providers, and others are more general to small business.
04/27/2020
Governor DeWine Opens Healthcare System on May 1
April 27, 2020 - The governor’s office sent a press release Monday evening with details of his Responsible RestartOhio plan. The following section related specifically to his healthcare plan.
04/23/2020
Federal Funding and Policy Round-Up
April 23, 2020 - Today's update includes new information on the Health & Human Services physician relief funds, increased Paycheck Protection Program funding, and other Telehealth funding opportunities for certain public programs.
04/22/2020
Elective Procedure Plan, New Testing Priorities & PPP Fund Update
April 22, 2020 - News continues to change rapidly about state and federal plans related to COVID-19 and its impact on healthcare and businesses. Today, Governor DeWine announced a revision to the existing order related to essential and nonessential services.
04/20/2020
Live Webinar this Week
April 20, 2020 - "Maximizing Forgiveness & Minimizing Reduction for Your Paycheck Protection Program Loan" will be a live webinar this Thursday 4/23 at 1pm, EST.
04/19/2020
OSMA Convenes Meeting with Medical Organizations from Across Ohio
April 19, 2020 - During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s essential that organized medicine in Ohio works together to share ideas and information to best serve all physicians.
04/17/2020
Federal Relief Fund Follow-up Q & A
April 17, 2020 - Last week, OSMA sent news about the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) disbursement of the first $30 billion from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Here are more details and answers to questions we've received about eligibility, terms, and more.
04/16/2020
OSMA Advocates for Policy Changes at the Federal & State Levels
April 16, 2020 - Numerous federal and state policy decisions and announcements continue to impact the work of physicians and medical practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. OSMA is advocating on behalf of our members and all Ohio physicians to ensure these policy decisions are made in your best interest. Here are the updates on our major policy actions this week.
04/15/2020
Flexibility in Policies & Deadlines Impacting Physicians
April 14, 2020 - There have been a number of federal, state and other governing bodies that have granted flexibility to physicians in a number of ways—including regulatory reporting, licensure, certification and other requirements. Here are the details on several of these changes and what they mean for Ohio physicians and medical practices.
04/13/2020
Payers Institute Administrative Changes During Crisis
April 13, 2020 - There continue to be major disruptions in the healthcare system due to COVID-19, and most of the major third-party payers have made adjustments to various administrative processes, including prior authorization, quality reporting and telemedicine.
04/10/2020
Federal Relief Funds Arriving for Most Practices
April 10, 2020 - Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the immediate disbursement of the first $30 billion from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
04/09/2020
OSMA President Shares Insights at Governor’s Press Conference
April 9, 2020 - Today, during Governor DeWine’s daily press conference, OSMA President Anthony Armstrong, M.D. joined Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, M.D. for an expansive discussion on the impact of COVID-19 in Ohio, specifically how the pandemic is impacting Ohio’s minority populations.
04/07/2020
OSMA Advocates for Direct Relief Payments For Ohio Physicians
April 7, 2020 - Today, the OSMA joined the American Medical Association (AMA), national specialty societies, and other state medical associations advocating the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) dedicate a portion of the $100 billion in the CARES act allocated for the medical community for direct payment to physicians.
04/06/2020
Business Fraud Alert
April 6, 2020 - As physicians and practices across the state and country are keeping up with changes to the healthcare industry as a result of COVID-19, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has issued a fraud notice.
04/03/2020
A Note from the OSMA President
April 3, 2020 - As the new OSMA president, let me first simply say thank you and we are here for you. This is an unprecedented time, not only for healthcare providers, but for everyone in our communities. I realize physicians in every corner of the state are struggling with the unknown.
04/02/2020
The Doctors Company's Telehealth FAQ
April 2, 2020 - To support the medical profession during this unprecedented time, the following are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding telemedicine.
04/01/2020
New Guidance & OSMA Advocacy Efforts
April 1, 2020 - Here is a full update on recent changes and issues in which OSMA is actively engaged at the federal and state level.
03/31/2020
State Issues Order for Weekly Ventilator Equipment Inventory Reporting
March 31, 2020 - Ohio Department of Health Director, Amy Acton, MD, issued an order requiring all entities with ventilators to report their inventory by no later than 5:00 p.m. each Wednesday beginning April 1, 2020 until further notice.
03/30/2020
CMS Expands its Accelerated & Advanced Payment Program
March 30, 2020 - On Saturday, March 28, 2020, the Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a major expansion to its accelerated and advanced payment program. Most physicians in Ohio that have billed Medicare in the last 180 days are eligible for emergency funding to address cash flow issues.
03/27/2020
What’s in the Federal Coronavirus Stimulus Package?
March 27, 2020 - Congress passed a federal funding bill to provide aid in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. At about $2.2 trillion, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act will be the largest stimulus package passed in modern American history. OSMA will update information on our Coronavirus Business Support page about the stimulus package as any new information becomes available.
03/26/2020
Ohio Legislature Responds to the COVID-19 Emergency
March 26 - The Ohio State Medical Association is committed to keeping Ohio physicians informed on state and federal updates related to COVID-19, especially how they impact Ohio’s medical practices and healthcare professionals. Here’s a breakdown of the major items contained in the bill passed out of both chambers, including items related specifically to the health care industry, as well businesses and other community programs and services.
03/26/2020
Relief for Your Business
March 25 - The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions to healthcare delivery systems and most physician practices. New information is being released each day to assist small businesses and employees. Additionally, changes are being made that are specific to medical practices.
03/24/2020
Medical Practice/Business Relief Questions & Updates
March 23, 2020 - Here is a quick overview of upcoming telehealth and business relief information—as well as new details on liability/malpractice guidance, extension of prior authorization, quality reporting deadline delays, and BWC premium delays.
03/23/2020
The Latest State Orders & Clinical Regulatory Changes
March 23, 2020 - What do these latest updates mean for you? From the effects of the "Stay at Home" order, to the Pharmacy Board's emergency rules on prescribing, to PPE and COVID-19 testing supplies... OSMA's updates get you the latest information.
03/23/2020
COVID-19 Malpractice Coverage FAQs
March 20, 2020 - As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve rapidly, OSMA partner, The Doctors Company has created a Q&A to address your critical questions during this time. You are doing such important work on the frontlines of this coronavirus pandemic, and we are here to support you. Please continue to check back daily as we update the information.
03/19/2020
Update on Telehealth Changes & Resources
March 19, 2020 - Due to the unprecedented disruption to the healthcare system, many physicians are being forced to consider alternative options to see patients and stay viable as a business. We recognize you may be dealing with difficulties.
03/17/2020
All Non-Essential Surgeries Must Be Postponed
March 17, 2020 - Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, MD, has ordered hospitals and outpatient surgical centers to postpone all elective, non-essential surgeries and procedures indefinitely.
03/17/2020
COVID-19 Update
March 16, 2020 - As you are aware, the healthcare system in Ohio and across the country and world is in a state of flux due to issues related to COVID-19. After speaking to numerous practices over the last several days we recognize physicians and practices are looking for information and guidance related not only to testing/treating patients for COVID-19 but also simply how you can keep your practice open, safe and viable over the next several weeks.
03/16/2020
Physicians with a CTR: Reminder of Reporting Requirements
March 16, 2020 – Ohio Administrative Code 4731-32-03 requires each physician with a certificate to recommend medical marijuana to submit an annual report to the board that describes their observations regarding the effectiveness of medical marijuana in treating patients. Completion of this survey will satisfy the requirement in the rule.
03/15/2020
OSMA Council to Meet Virtually on March 21
March 15, 2020 – As you know the OSMA canceled its Annual in-person Meeting of the House of Delegates. The OSMA Council will meet virtually on March 21 to plan how the OSMA will accomplish the organizational business that would otherwise have been conducted at the in-person meeting, namely elections and disposition of resolutions.
03/15/2020
ODH Releases Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Primary Care & Outpatient Providers
March 15, 2020 – The coronavirus situation warrants a unified, consistent approach and requires primary care providers and other outpatient services providers to comply with the following course of action regarding screening and treatment of potential COVID-19 patients.
03/12/2020
OSMA Symposium Event Cancelled
March 12, 2020 – The Ohio State Medical Association’s Education Symposium scheduled for March 20 in Columbus, Ohio has been CANCELLED. Please save the date for April 9, 2021!
03/11/2020
OSMA Annual Meeting Event Cancelled
The Ohio State Medical Association’s Annual Meeting scheduled for March 20-22 in Columbus, Ohio has been CANCELLED.
03/10/2020
Coronavirus & Patient Safety in the Medical Office
The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread across multiple continents. Given that outbreaks are expected to occur at a community level, medical offices will undoubtedly experience an influx of patients seeking assistance. The question is: Are medical offices doing enough?
02/27/2020
Ohio Department of Health Issues Notice to Physicians Regarding Coronavirus
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to consider the health risk from COVID-19 to be low among the general public in the U.S. However, there is increasing concern that eventually community person-to-person spread will occur here as it has recently in countries...
02/18/2020
Doctors & Hospitals Win Again in Court on Price Transparency
On February 7, 2020 the 6th District Court of Appeals of Ohio ruled in favor of the OSMA, Ohio Hospital Association (OHA) and other health care organizations in its lawsuit seeking to prevent implementation of a price transparency law enacted in 2016.
02/13/2020
Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) is proposing some sweeping changes—give your feedback!
The OSMA advocated for significant changes to the Ohio Medicaid Managed Care Progra—and we were heard. Using our initial feedback, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) is proposing some sweeping changes to simplify physician and patient interaction with the system and again is asking for our feedback on the proposal.
02/13/2020
Modern Payment Solutions for Modern Medicine
With one simple, healthcare-centric payment gateway, hospitals & clinics can now give their patients the flexibility to manage their financial obligation anytime, anywhere. 90 percent of our clients reported an increase in cash flow from patients utilizing the Best Card payment platform.
02/06/2020
Doctors: How to Talk to Patients About Nutrition and Diet
Andrew M. Freeman, MD, FACC, co-chair of the Lifestyle and Nutrition Workgroup with the American College of Cardiology, explains that the drugs we use to treat heart disease can be wonderful tools, but they don’t really focus on a cure or reversal—they only control the disease.
01/30/2020
A Look at the Way HIPAA Impacts Digital Marketing
Violating the HIPAA Act by accidentally revealing protected health information (PHI) is one of the most common reasons for healthcare professionals to avoid engaging in digital marketing activities.
08/01/2019
Ohio Physicians Give Feedback on Medicaid Managed Care Program
Many of our members provide daily patient care to Ohio’s Medicaid population and thus are uniquely qualified to provide meaningful information to assist the Ohio Department of Medicaid in its upcoming competitive Medicaid managed care procurement process. The comments we received from our members generally centered on areas where improvement is most desired, including plan accountability, grievances and appeals, provider support, benefits and delivery, and care coordination and management.
07/18/2019
Ohio Budget Process Complete
The OSMA Government Relations team has been engaging with legislators on health care-related budget items since the governor’s initial proposal was released, and has been following and participating in the ongoing debates about a number of health policy decisions.
07/18/2019
Terminating Patient Relationships
Just as it is an acceptable and reasonable practice to screen incoming patients, it is acceptable and reasonable to know when to end patient relationships that are no longer therapeutic. It is critical, however, to end the patient relationship in a manner that will not lead to claims of discrimination or abandonment.
07/18/2019
Ohio Physician Wellness Coalition Offers Online CME Courses
The Ohio Physician Wellness Coalition (OPWC), which represents Ohio physicians and hospitals and focuses on addressing physician burnout, launched six videos in its continuing medical education (CME) wellness video series.
07/18/2019
Training Managers Who Walk the Walk
Identifying and training role models in your business or practice is key to creating a positive, productive work environment. Which managers should you cultivate as role models to lead your organization?
06/06/2019
New Pain Management Toolkit Available
A new state toolkit designed to assist primary care doctors who prescribe opioids will be released this month by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
06/06/2019
The $4.6 Billion Price Tag of Physician Burnout
To put a price on burnout, the study authors culled data from recent research findings and reports — including direct or inferred findings on doctors cutting back on hours or quitting as a result of burnout.
05/16/2019
Ohio’s Health Value Needs to be Better Now
Ohio is ranked 46 out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia according to the 2019 Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO) Health Value Dashboard—landing the Buckeye state in the bottom quartile.
04/25/2019
Concerns about U.S. Measles Outbreak
A recent poll by The Doctors Company received 9,459 responses to the question: How concerned are you as a healthcare provider about the recent U.S. measles outbreak?
04/25/2019
Hiring Friends and Family at the Office Is a Bad Idea
If your sister is pressuring you to hire your nephew for that much-coveted summer internship position so he can get his “foot in the door,” don’t give in to temptation.
03/28/2019
The 3-Minute Guide to Creating a Modern Website
How to Go Beyond an Online Business Card and Build an Effective Online Presence...
03/28/2019
Dollars & Sense: The State Budget
Earlier this week, the state budget became a bill on Capitol Hill—or at least on Capitol Square in Columbus, Ohio. The OSMA has completed an initial review of the bill language...
03/28/2019
On-Demand Care for YOU
As part of its commitment to the well-being of all physicians in the state of Ohio, the OSMA Physician Well-Being Committee recently launched an online hub...
03/14/2019
Oxycon"tained" Again in 2018
Pharmacy Board Releases Compelling OARRS Data... This week, the State of Ohio Pharmacy Board reported that the number of opioids dispensed to Ohioans dropped by 325 million from 2012 or 2018.
02/28/2019
OSMA Goes to Washington
Earlier this month, several OSMA members along with the OSMA Government Relations staff traveled to Washington DC to meet with members of Congress to discuss how existing laws are affecting patients and practices.
02/28/2019
Lions, and Tigers and Boards, Oh My!
Vision for the Future Commission released its final report to the American Board of Medical Specialties Board of Directors early this month.
02/28/2019
This Bud’s for You (or Your Patients)
Within the first month that the medical marijuana program was running in the state of Ohio, nearly $1M in sales were recorded, but questions remain.
02/27/2019
Take Control of Rising Healthcare Costs
The OSMA understands the struggles to maintain an independent practice. This is one reason why the OSMA decided to offer an OSMA managed, self-funded health care plan.
02/15/2019
2019 OSMA Annual Meeting—Resolutions Posted
All resolutions received by the Wednesday, February 6th deadline have been posted to the website so you can start to review them. We will post background information as we receive it.
02/14/2019
Despite 21% Decrease in Overdose Deaths, Ohio Still Has Work to Do
According to a recent CDC report, Ohio saw a significant decrease – 21.4% - in overdose fatalities in July 2017 through June 2018; second in the nation only to Washington DC, which saw a 24.2% decrease.
01/10/2019
Make Sure to Do your Annual HR Check Up
Now that 2019 is underway, it is essential that you make sure your company is in compliance with state and federal regulatory updates.
01/10/2019
OSMA Insurance Agency Announces 2019 Average Rate Renewal of only 2.9 Percent
Physician practices participating in the OSMA’s Health Benefits Plan (HBP) will see another year of rate increases averaging single digits. Renewal increases for 2019 will average 2.9%. This increase, along with plan increases over the past three years, show a four-year average of 4.5%. Significantly below the national averages.
01/03/2019
Physician Well-Being: The Real 5th Vital Sign
"The reason we should care about burnout is because it has the potential for serious consequences on the quality of patient care and safety, patient satisfaction, professionalism, physicians’ own care and safety, and the viability of the health care system..."
12/06/2018
Ohio Medical Marijuana Patient Registry Opens: What it Means for Doctors
The amount of product will be extremely limited, as growers and dispensaries come online throughout 2019.
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