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Client Alerts, News Articles, Blog Posts, & Multimedia

Everything you need to know about BMD and the industry.

Getting Paid to Vote

Multimedia, Client Alert

On the eve of Election Day, did you know that about half of U.S. states have requirements that employees receive paid leave, under certain conditions, in order to vote? Another handful of states require employees to receive unpaid leave.

Over the next 36 hours, your clients may receive questions from their employees about the need to take this leave in order to vote, a request that is particularly common in healthcare given the nature of shift lengths. In this episode of Employment Law After Hours, we analyzed which states fall into which category of requirements and provided examples of certain conditions that may apply.

If you or your clients have any questions about requirements to receive paid or unpaid leave to vote, please let me know, and I can navigate these issues with you and your client.

DEA and HHS Issue its Third Extension of Telemedicine Flexibilities through 2025

The DEA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have extended telemedicine flexibilities for prescribing controlled medications through December 31, 2025. This extension builds on temporary exceptions made in 2020 due to COVID-19, allowing providers to prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances based on a telemedicine evaluation alone. The extension ensures continued patient access to necessary prescriptions and provides time for providers to comply with future regulations.

Medicare Making Changes to Improve Behavioral Health Care Access

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has introduced changes to Medicare’s behavioral health coverage, including allowing Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors to enroll independently, increasing reimbursements for crisis psychotherapy and substance use treatment, and expanding services via community health workers. These updates address gaps in care and improve access to mental health services for Medicare beneficiaries.

The Ohio Department of Medicaid Announces Four Next Generation MyCare Plans

On November 1, 2024, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) announced four managed care organizations that will become ODM’s Next Generation MyCare plans starting January 2026. MyCare Ohio is a managed care program that supports Ohioans across 29 counties enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid.

Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Deadline: December 31

The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), which became effective January 1, 2024, imposes strict reporting guidelines on small business owners throughout the country.  The deadline for non-exempt businesses to submit reporting is December 31, 2024.

Permanent Injunction of “Heartbeat” Abortion Ban in Ohio

Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Christian Jenkins has ruled Ohio’s six-week abortion ban unconstitutional, citing the state’s new reproductive rights amendment. This ruling emphasizes that Ohio law must fully reflect the will of voters, offering clarity for medical providers and safeguarding women's health care rights.