COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

OOA President Sandy Cook, DO, and Executive Director Matt Harney are participating in a statewide vaccine workgroup convened by the Ohio Department of Health. The workgroup met for the first time on Wednesday. (See the handout.) Currently, there are about 600 total vaccine providers enrolled statewide, including 200+ pharmacies, 100 local health departments, 100+ hospitals, and a few dozen FQHCs. 

It is important to note the role of the pre-positioning hospitals, as there appears to be a misunderstanding that they will redistribute COVID-19 vaccine to other health care providers in their regions, which is not accurate. Ohio’s pre-positioning hospitals will receive a very limited supply of the Pfizer vaccine (975 doses each) to begin vaccinating some of their critical health care workers after the US Food & Drug Administration approves an emergency-use authorization and CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices issues its recommendations on the vaccine’s use. These pre-positioning hospitals will not redistribute vaccine to other health care providers.

An estimated 1.3 million Ohioans comprise the Phase 1A (targeted) population. ODH will be collecting patient data and will report de-identified data (such as race, location, occupation) on those who receive the vaccine. Guidance is forthcoming on how to report adverse reactions.  

The most trusted voices when it comes to information about COVID-19 are an individual’s personal physician, medical experts, and emergency room doctors, followed by public health officials. Whether you are a vaccine provider or not, you can be one of those trusted sources of information for your patients and community. The latest issue of Ohio Pandemic Vaccine Provider Update provides talking points and language tips. For example, did you know it’s more persuasive to use “face mask” instead of “facial covering”?

DeWine Issues Stay Safe Ohio Protocol

Ohio reached record numbers of daily COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and patients on ventilators this week.

At his press briefing yesterday Gov. Mike DeWine unveiled the new Stay Safe Ohio Protocol, developed in partnership with medical professionals across the state to inform Ohioans how to safely live with the virus. Five DOs, including OOA Members Jody Gerome, DO, and Susan Kaufman, DO, were among the dozen physicians who joined DeWine at the briefing to stress the importance of the protocols.

DeWine extended the 10 pm to 5 am statewide curfew until January 2, 2021.

New health data compiled by the Ohio Department of Health showed sustained severe exposure and spread (Purple Level 4) in Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark and Summit counties. Ashland and Guernsey counties were moved to the Watch List. Noble, Harrison and Washington counties moved to Red Level 3 for the first time since implementation of the Advisory System in April.

DeWine noted Holmes County is 88th on the list of Ohio counties ranked by occurrence, however its case rate of 348 is almost three and a half times higher than the CDC’s threshold for high incidence. “No matter where you live, you’re living in an area with very high spread,” he said.

Legislative Lame Duck Continues

It was another busy lame duck week at the Ohio Statehouse with more than 20 committee meetings for more than 100 bill hearings. But House session was cancelled Wednesday and Thursday, which leaves only two House sessions, scheduled for next week, remaining this year. Since last Friday, five lawmakers have tested positive for COVID-19 (and 11 overall). House leadership said the cancellation was unrelated to the positive cases. State legislators are not required to wear masks at the Statehouse. The Senate also cancelled a voting session this week.

Though time is running out, the legislature is still considering a veto override of SB 311—and Senate President Larry Obhof said he has the votes to do it. The bill would limit the executive branch powers and specifically curtail Ohio Department of Health authority to order quarantine and isolation. Negotiations between Gov. Mike DeWine and the Republican lawmakers continue.

A couple bills of interest to the profession are on their way to DeWine for his signature:

• HB 412 creates the Rare Disease Advisory Council. It passed on Tuesday 82-0.
• SB 252 was approved, 81-1. It prohibits “fail first” coverage of drugs used to treat stage four advanced metastatic cancer

Pharmacy Board Email Scam

The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy has been alerted to a phishing email scheme sent to licensees where the sender is claiming to represent the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy. They have also created a website that mimics the Board’s site as an additional step to deceive licensees.

If you receive an email, be sure to delete it and do not click on the links. If you have opened the email, followed the link, and submitted any sensitive information, you are strongly advised to look into setting up credit/fraud alerts and/or a credit freeze. The Board will continue to monitor this situation.

Free Webinar on Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Rules

Columbus law firm Bricker & Eckler is hosting a free, one-hour webinar Monday, December 14, 12:00 pm, regarding rules to reform fraud and abuse law for the health care industry. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General issued the Stark law and anti-kickback final rules on November 20.

During the webinar, Bricker health care attorneys will review the changes contained in the final rules and offer strategies for health care entities as they consider how to incorporate these changes into their relationships with physicians and other referral sources as well as their compliance programs.

Office Update

OOA staff continues to work largely from home. The transition to a virtual workplace started in March when Gov. Mike DeWine asked Ohio employers to work remotely if possible. While there is some in-office coverage, email is still the best way to reach us.

Matt Harney
mattharney@OhioDO.org

Joanne Barnhart 
jbarnhart@OhioDO.org

Cheryl Markino
cmarkino@OhioDO.org

Carol Tatman
ctatman@OhioDO.org