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In the wake of the Ohio Medical Board’s latest temporary extension to the deferred enforcement of Ohio’s Telemedicine Rules, the Ohio State Legislature is contemplating a permanent expansion to the existing rules. On September 29, 2021, the Senate’s Health Committee held its second hearing on House Bill 122 (regarding a permanent rule change). A draft of the legislation is available here.

All of the hospital systems providing testimony to the Committee supported expansion of Telemedicine. Over the past 18 month, some hospitals saw telehealth visits increase from 1% of total visits to 70%. Although the COVID-19 pandemic brought numerous challenges to Ohio’s health care systems, the pandemic also provided an answer to the question: can Telemedicine work on a large scale? The resounding answer from Ohio’s medical community is that Telemedicine is a safe, efficient, effective and welcome alternative.    

The Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) also supports the proposed rule change. According to Joe Rosato, Director of Government Relations for OSMA, “the pandemic has demonstrated that making usage of telehealth easier for both physicians and patients is a valuable tool in increasing access to high quality care, particularly for underserved populations.” OSMA also believes that HB 122 gives, “physicians and their patients more flexibility to choose the best method for delivery, while maintaining the applicable standard of care.” For now, the Ohio Medical Board continues to direct questions on its Telemedicine rules and stayed enforcement to its revised FAQ.

If you are a medical professional or a patient and you have questions regarding telemedicine, you should contact 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.