COVID-19 Assistance

OSMA is working with state leaders and diligently monitoring pandemic-related developments. We will post important updates and physician resources here as new developments become available. Check out the topics below and our recent news updates.

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Our Latest COVID-19 News

05/31/2023

Post Public Health Emergency FAQ

May 31, 2022 – The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ended on May 11, 2023, which changes many federal policies established during the pandemic. OSMA is working to keep members updated as guidance is available.


05/08/2023

COVID-19 Vaccine Expiration Reminder

May 8, 2023 - This week, the Ohio Department of Health sent out a reminder to providers of COVID-19 vaccines about recent expiration awareness. NOTE: All remaining doses of Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine expired on Saturday, May 6, 2023. 


05/03/2023

Updates to Coverage for COVID-19 Tests

May 3, 2023 - The ending of the Public Health Emergency may impact an individual’s coverage of COVID-19 tests. CMS is encouraging that you know these changes and share the New Consumer Fact Sheet on COVID-19 tests.


04/24/2023

Webinars to Help Prepare for the End of the Public Health Emergency

April 24, 2023 - On May 11, 2023, the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) is set to expire. Healthcare providers continue to implement COVID protocols and navigate the ever-changing healthcare regulations at both the federal and state levels, therefore it is important to take time to prepare for the ending of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). Here are some webinars to help you plan...


04/19/2023

Medical Student Abstract Poster Competition

New this year as part of the OSMA annual meeting, medical students were invited to submit an abstract for poster presentation. This was an excellent opportunity for students to become involved in the OSMA Annual Meeting and to enhance their reputation both within and outside their institution – and to network with physicians about policy, research, career interests and more.


04/11/2023

CMS Issues Final Rule Reforming Parts of Prior Authorization Requirements

April 11, 2023 – The rule creates enforcement provisions for misleading marketing schemes, removes barriers to care created by complex coverage criteria, and expands access to behavioral health care. OSMA joined with the American Medical Association in supporting these needed reforms.


04/04/2023

Interprofessional Consultants & Alternative Delivery Methods for Care

April 4, 2023 – CMS has changed the way health care is considered and paid not only by Medicare but many commercial insurance plans. Part of this change is the mandated requirement for Medicaid to cover many of these services as part of the standardization in health care delivery and reimbursement. More and more health care is provided in non- traditional ways.


04/04/2023

Remote Patient Monitoring: Considerations for Telehealth Care

April 3, 2023 – Prior to the pandemic, practitioner concerns over how to conduct a physical examination during a virtual visit created a significant barrier to telehealth. Thanks to appropriate telehealth use guidelines and technological advances, important components of an in-office visit, such as vital signs and point-of-care testing, are now becoming an in-home reality with remote patient monitoring.


03/06/2023

The OSMA Business Credit Card: Helping Members Achieve & Maintain Financial Success

March 6, 2023 – As part of its commitment to supporting the financial success of its members, OSMA has partnered with Mercantile Technologies to create the OSMA Business Credit Card, a credit card built specifically for OSMA members.


03/04/2023

Lessons in Preventing Button Battery Injuries

March 4, 2023 – According to a study published in Pediatrics, it is estimated that between 2010 and 2019, more than 70,000 emergency department (ED) visits in the United States were battery related among children under 18 years old.


03/01/2023

Summary of New ODM Initiatives Launched February 1

March 1, 2023 – One month ago Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) launched the Next Generation managed care plans, new Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), and Fiscal Intermediary (FI). These initiatives provide an enhanced and personalized healthcare experience for ODM members with more transparency and visibility of care and services for providers. Here are some reminders...


02/20/2023

Public Health Emergency Expiration—Reminders

February 20, 2023 – It has been announced that the PHE will be extended through May 11, at which point it will permanently expire, marking the end of PHE extensions. Because the PHE has been in place for nearly three years, it can be difficult to remember which rules existed before then, and which have been temporary. Here are a few highlights of what is expected to change.


02/16/2023

Ohio’s New Telehealth Rules Effective Feb. 28—What to Know

February 16, 2023 – Physicians across Ohio have continued to embrace remote healthcare services. After a lengthy rule promulgation process, including our member feedback and input from OSMA, the Board has finalized new telehealth rules, which will become effective this month.


02/09/2023

Interstate Licensure for Telehealth Can Fuel Practice Growth

February 9, 2023 – When using telehealth to treat patients out of state, most healthcare professionals are mindful about licensure issues. But some are not aware that practicing without a license in a given state is not just malpractice, it is a criminal offense.


02/02/2023

Healthcare Staffing Shortages: Decrease Practice Risks

February 2, 2023 – With increasing regularity, staffing shortages have adversely impacted the delivery of healthcare and the availability of diagnostic and therapeutic resources. The ongoing scarcity of employees negatively influences the quality and depth of many primary and support roles at every level throughout the healthcare workforce—including physicians, dentists, advanced practice clinicians, allied health professionals, practice assistants, and front- and back-office specialists.


01/11/2023

Familiarize with OSMA's Strategic Plan (2023-2025)

January 11, 2023 – The OSMA Council (Board of Directors) met in the summer and again in the fall to update the organization’s three-year strategic plan. Leadership approved five main issues areas to guide the organization’s work the next three years.


01/11/2023

Flu, RSV, or COVID-19? Convergence of Three Viruses Creates Risk of Diagnostic Errors

January 11, 2023 – Understanding the differences between the flu, RSV, and COVID-19 will help prevent misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis when patients present with respiratory symptoms. Learn more from TDC's latest article.


12/18/2022

Reminder: 2022 MIPS Extreme & Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception Applications

December 18, 2022 – The American Medical Association (AMA) sent OSMA the following communication to remind members about an important MIPS deadline and advocacy efforts to extend opportunities for filing.


09/07/2022

COVID-19 bivalent mRNA boosters Information and Shipment Information from ODH

September 7, 2022 – New bivalent mRNA COVID-19 boosters created to strengthen protection against the original COVID-19 strain and the currently circulating Omicron variant can be administered to Ohioans age 12 years and older as soon as practical after vaccine shipments arrive.


08/18/2022

As Telemedicine Best Practices Emerge, Assess Your Practice

Aug 17, 2022 – Many specialties, facing the pandemic’s imperative to improvise, formed discussion groups, which are now disseminating their findings via peer-reviewed medical journals or formulating best practices with their medical professional societies.


08/01/2022

National Immunization Awareness: Hear from Ohio Pediatricians

August 1, 2022 – August is National Immunization Awareness Month, so we spoke with three Ohio pediatricians to get their thoughts on childhood vaccines and answers to some of the most common vaccine questions.


08/01/2022

Your Well-being Checkup And Referral Engagement Service

August 1, 2022 – The need for well-being support has never been higher, and the OSMA Foundation is supporting Ohio's healthcare workforce with a way to measure factors like personal anxiety, depression and burnout and connect with credible resources who can help.


06/23/2022

Well-Being CARE Service is Helping Healthcare Workers Across Ohio

June 23, 2022 – One month after its official launch, the Well-Being CARE Service is quickly becoming known and used by healthcare workers across Ohio—providing assessment and referrals to critical mental health services.


06/23/2022

AMA Celebrates 175 Years

June 22, 2022 – Our national partner contributing to OSMA's success, the American Medical Association (AMA), marked their 175th anniversary of its founding in May 2022.


06/13/2022

Amicus Brief Filed on Federal PREP Act

June 13, 2022 – OSMA, along with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Medical Association (AMA), is participating in an amicus brief in the federal Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on the question of whether the federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (the PREP Act) provides immunity from liability in a wrongful death claim against an assisted living facility for failing to take appropriate countermeasures during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.


02/16/2022

Member Q&A with John A. Bastulli, MD

February 16, 2022


01/24/2022

Council Q&A with Shannon C. Trotter, DO

January 24, 2022


12/20/2021

Member Q&A with Jeffrey R. Leipzig, MD

December 20, 2021


11/22/2021

Council Q&A with John R. Corker, MD, FACEP

November 22, 2021


10/14/2021

Council Q&A with Gregory Surfield, MD, FACS

October 13, 2021


09/07/2021

Council Q&A with Michelle Knopp, MD

September 7, 2021


08/24/2021

Council Q&A with Mary LaPlante, MD, FACOG

August 24, 2021

Resources

For the latest Ohio
COVID-19 updates, visit:

Coronavirus.ohio.gov 


Or call
1-833-4-ASK-ODH


Order your PPE Needs

Access OSMA's group buying partnership available to members >


AMA Guidance Resources:

AMA's COVID-19 Resource Center for Physicians >


For Physicians & Healthcare Employees:

CDC's Guideline Updates >

State Medical Board COVID-19 Guidance >


Healthcare is Safe Campaign

Tools for communicating to patients >


Encouraging Immunizations

Share our awareness video >


AMA Guidance Resources:
For Physicians & Healthcare Employees:

More than a Membership