OHIO — The Ohio Legislature advanced legislation that tightens Medicaid home care regulations, including electronic visit verification, following a media investigation that alleged Medicaid fraud earlier this year. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine imposed a six-month moratorium on new home care providers after these allegations.

The passed legislation mandates that home care providers use electronic visit verification systems, which include virtual clock-ins, clock-outs, and real-time GPS location tracking, to receive payment. Live-in family caregivers are exempt from the GPS tracking requirement. House Bill 795, which initially proposed these regulations, was amended by the Ohio House Medicaid Committee to include a prohibition against compensating family members for providing Medicaid-funded home care. However, this provision was removed last week following public opposition.

Disability advocates gathered at the Ohio Statehouse on June 3 to oppose the provider moratorium and House Bill 795. Matt O'Nesti, a board member and filmmaker for Disability Rights Ohio, addressed the legislative changes. "It's happened at such a breakneck speed, and it's really, really hard to figure out: Is this a ticking time bomb that's going to destroy the system a year or so from now?" O'Nesti said.

Jennifer Kucera, who requires around-the-clock Medicaid-funded care for daily activities due to spinal muscular atrophy, previously lived in a nursing home for three years in Berea, Ohio, before transitioning to in-home care. "I didn't even know what scabies were." Kucera said. "These are all things that really shouldn't happen in a place where you're supposed to be protected." Kucera subsequently received in-home care from local providers for 12 years.

Emily Lark, a personal care attendant for her 7-year-old daughter, earns approximately $15 per hour for her caregiving work. "It's not just playing games with your grandma or going to the grocery story for funsies. It's a job that you can't walk away from." Lark said. "I felt unheard, misunderstood, and angry." Lark said.

The legislative bill passed unanimously and was incorporated into a Senate bill addressing food stamps and cybersecurity before being sent to Governor DeWine for signature. Ohio also plans to establish specific oversight mechanisms for family caregivers. Governor DeWine is expected to sign legislation that tightens eligibility requirements for Medicaid-funded home care and restricts provider qualifications. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz previously visited Florida, California, and Ohio to investigate Medicaid fraud.