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When new COVID 19 case infection rates dipped during the Spring of 2021, the State Medical Board of Ohio sought to end its deferred enforcement Ohio’s Telemedicine Rules and signaled that the grace period window would close on September 17, 2021.  However, with the recent spike in COVID 19 cases, including concerns over the Delta variant of COVID-19, Ohio’s health care institutions and medical professionals poured comments into the Board pleading on behalf of their patients for additional deferred enforcement of the Telemedicine Rules.

The deferred enforcement approach has enabled countless patients to receive critical medical care during the pandemic, while avoiding unnecessary travel to and from public spaces and exposure to others in medical office waiting rooms. Nearly all health-care practices have embraced the additional opportunity through telemedicine to stay connected with their patients and ensure a continuum of care.

During the August 2021 Board meeting, the State Medical Board of Ohio extended its deferred enforcement of Ohio’s Telemedicine Rules.  Several Board Members were quick to point out that Ohio has permitted telemedicine for many years. Due to the COVID 19 related lockdowns, the Board agreed to continue expanded practice of telemedicine through deferred enforcement of rules that normally limit the scope of telemedicine. The expanded practice includes medical marijuana and office-based opioid treatment for opioid use disorder.

As a result of the Board listening to and acting on its constituents’ request, the Medical Board will continue deferred enforcement of Ohio’s Telemedicine Rules through the end of 2021. As with prior announcements regarding this topic, the Board released a revised FAQ to better educate practitioners and the public. As before, the deferred enforcement will apply to patients receiving initial and renewal recommendations for use of cannabis products as treatment for qualified conditions. 

If you are a medical professional or a patient and you have questions regarding telemedicine, you should consider contacting the attorneys at Graff & McGovern, LPA. Our attorneys have decades of experience representing licensed professionals, including Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses, and Pharmacists in Ohio. Attorney Levi Tkach can be reached at levi@grafflaw.com