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Effective December 12, 2024: Key Updates to Ohio Medicaid Rules for CPC and CMC Programs

Client Alert

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) has amended Ohio Administrative Code rules related to the Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC) and Comprehensive Maternal Care (CMC) programs. The rules become effective December 12, 2024.

OAC 5160-19-01
Under the amended rule, a certified nurse midwife (CNM) is now an eligible provider that can participate in primary care activities or services in the CPC program. Previously, only certified nurse practitioners (CNPs) and clinical nurse specialists (CNS’) were permitted to participate. Additionally, upon annual enrollment, the CPC entity is expected to attest that it will provide 24/7 and same-day access to a PCP to the attributed Medicaid individual's medical record. Previously, the CPC entity had to provide record access within 24 hours of the initial request.

Now, under the amended rule, the CPC entity must ensure all staff who provide direct care or otherwise interact with attributed Medicaid individuals complete cultural competency training, as deemed acceptable by ODM, within 6 months of program enrollment. Previously, all staff had to complete the training within 12 months of enrollment.

The CPC entity must also ensure that new staff who provide direct care or otherwise interact with attributed Medicaid individuals complete cultural competency training within 30 days of their start date. Previously, new staff had 90 days from their start date to complete the training.

The amended rule added “well visits for members who are 15 to 30 months of age” to the list of clinical quality metrics the CPC entity must meet. The amended rule also added “well visits for members who are 15 to 30 months of age” and “oral evaluation/dental services” to the list of clinical quality metrics the CPC entity treating kids must meet.

OAC 5160-19-02
Under the amended rule, a CPC entity must continue to meet efficiency and clinical quality metrics and, if any of these metrics are not met in a program year, a warning will be issued. After two consecutive program years of a metric not being met, entity participation and payment will be terminated. Previously, this rule said that participation and payment will be terminated after two “warnings” instead of two “program years”.

OAC 5160-19-03
This CMC amended rule specifically changes “Medicaid eligible individuals” to “women” throughout. Under the community integration section, the rule adds new language requiring the CMC entity to “allow patients to have a doula of their choice at any pregnancy related service or appointment. Patients that procure or request the assistance of a doula as part of their prenatal, birth, or postpartum care will be supported by the practice in receiving doula services, including by providing a written recommendation for doula services to patients upon request.” The amended rule also adds “maternal behavioral health screenings (i.e., depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, etc.)” to the list of clinical quality metrics the CPC entity must meet.

If you have any questions about these rule changes or how they may impact your practice, please don’t hesitate to contact Member Daphne Kackloudis at dlkackloudis@bmdllc.com or Attorney Jordan Burdick at jaburdick@bmdllc.com for guidance.


The Ohio State University Launches Its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program

In response to Ohio’s nursing shortage, The Ohio State University College of Nursing is accepting applications for its new Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (aBSN). Created for students with a bachelor’s degree in non-nursing fields, the aBSN allows such students to obtain their nursing degree within 18 months. All aBSN students will participate in high-quality coursework and gain valuable clinical experience. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the State Board, National Council of Licensure Exam for Registered Nursing (NCLEX-RN).

Another Transparency Obligation: The FinCEN Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirements

Many physician practices and healthcare businesses are facing a new set of federal transparency requirements that require action now. The U.S. Department of Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Requirements (the “Rule”), which was promulgated pursuant to the 2021 bipartisan Corporate Transparency Act, is intended to help curb illegal finance and other impermissible activity in the United States.

“In for a Penny, in for a Pound” is No Longer the Case for Florida Lawyers

On April 1, 2024, newly adopted Rule 1.041 to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedures goes into effect which creates a procedure for an attorney to appear in a limited manner in civil proceedings.  Currently, when a Florida attorney appears in a civil proceeding, he or she is reasonable for handling all aspects of the case for their client.  This new rule authorizes an attorney to file a notice limiting the attorney’s appearance to particular proceedings or specified matters prior to any appearance before the court.  For example, an attorney can now appear for the limited purpose of filing and arguing a motion to dismiss.  Once the motion to dismiss is heard by the court, the attorney may file a notice of termination of limited appearance and will have no further obligations in the case.

Enhancing Privacy Protections for Substance Use Disorder Patient Records

On February 8, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) finalized updated rules to 42 CFR Part 2 (“Part 2”) for the protection of Substance Use Disorder (“SUD”) patient records. The updated rules reflect the requirement that the Part 2 rules be more closely aligned with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) privacy, breach notification, and enforcement rules as mandated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020.

Columbus, Ohio Ordinance Prohibits Employers from Inquiries into an Applicant’s Salary History

Effective March 1, 2024, Columbus employers are prohibited from inquiring into an applicant’s salary history. Specifically, the ordinance provides that it is an unlawful discriminatory practice to: