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The Ohio Department of Medicaid Amends Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Rules

Client Alert

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Ohio Administrative Code rule 5160-1-29 Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse provides definitions and examples of fraud, waste, and abuse and describes the Ohio Department of Medicaid's (ODM) program to detect, prevent, and address these issues. OAC 5160-1-29 has been reviewed as part of the five-year rule review process and has been amended to update definitions, language, and citations; add clarifying language; and remove regulatory restrictions in accordance with Ohio Revised Code section 121.95.

As part of its five-year review, ODM has reorganized and clarified the definitions of "Fraud" and "Waste and Abuse":

  • "Fraud" now explicitly refers to the definition in 42 C.F.R. 455.2
  • "Waste and abuse" is now split into two separate definitions:
    • "Waste" is any preventable act leading to unnecessary Medicaid expenditures.
    • "Abuse" is now defined as in 42 C.F.R. 455.2

ODM also adds specificity and clarity to the list of examples, including:

  • Misrepresentation of services, billing for services not provided, and violation of provider agreements.
  • New examples include misrepresenting information on provider applications, ordering excessive quantities of supplies, and non-compliance with service definitions.
    • Provider Fraud – “Non-compliance with the service definitions, activities, coverage, and limitations as listed in the applicable provisions in agency 5160 of the Administrative Code.”
    • Recipient Fraud – “Any action to falsely obtain Medicaid eligibility as described in section 2913.401 of the Revised Code.”

Please contact BMD healthcare attorney Daphne Kackloudis at dlkackloudis@bmdllc.com with questions.


Ensuring Fair Access: SB 269 Protects Affordable Medication for Low-Income Patients

SB 269, introduced on December 19, 2023, will ensure that 340B covered entities, including Federally Qualified Health Centers, Ryan White Clinics, disproportionate share hospitals, and Title X clinics, can acquire 340B drugs without facing undue restrictions or discriminatory practices from drug manufacturers and distributors. This protection is crucial for 340B covered entities to continue to provide affordable medications and comprehensive services to low-income patients.

Unveiling Ohio's Pharmacy Board Updates for Distributors, Mobile Clinics, and Controlled Substances

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy will hold a public hearing on May 28, 2024, to discuss several proposed changes and additions to Ohio Administrative Code (OAC). These changes pertain to terminal distributors of dangerous drugs (TDDDs), mobile clinics or medication units, and the classification of controlled substances.

House Bill 249: Key Updates to Involuntary Hospitalization Law for Mental Health Providers

House Bill 249 (HB 249) proposes changes to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Sections 5122.01 and 5122.10 to expand the conditions under which a person with a mental illness can be involuntarily hospitalized.

Starting an Advanced Practice Provider Practice

Advanced practice providers (APPs), which includes non-physician providers such as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurse anesthetists, commonly start their own healthcare practices. Practices may provide, for example, service offerings such as primary care, anesthesiology, mental health, and aesthetics (medical spas). However, there are a number of considerations and steps that must be taken for APPs to compliantly function independently.

FTC Increases Targeting of Companies Lacking Cyber Protection

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently released a comprehensive cybersecurity report outlining key findings and recommendations based on emerging threats, trends in data breaches, and strategies for businesses to enhance their cybersecurity posture observed over the last year.