Coronavirus - COVID-19 Information

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus a pandemic. Please reference the CDC, the Ohio Department of Health and your local community health districts for the most up to date information for your practice location(s). A number or resources relevant to podiatry in Ohio are provided below.

COVID-19 information & resources:


Ohio Department of Health

HOTLINE 1-833-4-ASK-ODH

Contact Information for Ohio County Health Districts

Masks Still Required in Healthcare Settings Under Amended Ohio Health Order

The Ohio Department of Health amended its remaining health order on May 17 to conform to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, which was issued on May 13.
 
While the ODH order generally provides more flexibility for fully vaccinated individuals to forgo wearing masks beginning June 2, the new guidance does not apply to healthcare facilities. Ohio's order reflects the CDC's recommendation that everyone wear masks in a healthcare setting regardless of vaccination status. This means that staff, patients, residents, and visitors should continue to wear masks in all healthcare facilities.
 
Under the Ohio order, fully vaccinated individuals must also continue to wear masks in congregate settings, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and in places with large numbers of unvaccinated individuals, such as schools and daycare centers, when traveling on public transportation (including airplanes), and when at a business or employer that chooses to require masks.
 
The CDC said health care facilities should continue to refer to CDC’s infection prevention and control guidance for recommendations regarding source control and physical distancing in health care settings. The agency will provide updates if any changes are made to the guidance for healthcare settings.
 

Ohio pandemic vaccine provider update

The Ohio Department of Health has created a guidance document that shares vaccine updates, safety tips, and important resources with Ohio providers. 

The Ohio Pandemic Vaccine Provider Update is available on the Ohio Medical Board website.

Statewide Vaccine Provider Location search

A recently launched search tool shows COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Locations throughout Ohio who have received shipments of COVID-19 vaccines for those currently being vaccinated in Phase 1B. Search by county or ZIP code to see a list of providers near you with websites and contact information. Please follow this link for vaccine provider locations in Ohio

Responsible Restart Ohio Healthcare Guide

Healthcare Procedures & Hospitals COVID -19 Checklist

ODH Posters and Office Signage

Cloth Masks or Face Coverings in the Workplace

COVID-19 Guidance for Screening Employees


CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Payment Attestation Portal              

The CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Payment Attestation Portal is open. Providers who have been allocated a payment must sign an attestation confirming receipt of the funds and agree to the terms and conditions within 30 days of payment.

APMA resources

APMA COVID-19 Resource Page and FAQs

APMA Practice Resources

APMA Working With American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) on COVID-19 Registry to report cases of lesions on feet


Telemedicine resources

Ohio Department of Medicaid Telehealth Rules - FAQ's

Medicaid - Emergency COVID-19 Telehealth Rules

Executive Order - Telehealth

Telehealth Emergency Rule 5160-1-21

Appendix to Emergency Rule 5160-1-21 procedure codes

Ohio law defines telemedicine as the practice of medicine through the use of any communication, including oral, written or electronic communication, by a physician located outside of this state.  Pursuant to Ohio law, any practitioner, including physicians, podiatric physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who treat a patient located in Ohio through telemedicine, must be licensed for full practice by the Ohio Board or possess a limited Ohio telemedicine certificate.

Under the Ohio Board’s new regulations, practitioners may issue a prescription for a non-controlled medication to a person whom the practitioner has never conducted a physical examination and who is located at a remote location so long as the following requirements are satisfied:
  1. The practitioner must establish the patient’s identity and physical location;
  2. The practitioner shall obtain the patient’s informed consent for treatment;
  3. The practitioner shall request the patient’s consent to forward the medical record to the patient’s primary care or other appropriate health care provider, if applicable, or refer the patient to an appropriate health care provider or facility;
  4. The practitioner shall complete a medical evaluation appropriate for the patient’s condition, which meets appropriate standards of care and may include portions of the evaluation having been conducted by other health care providers acting within their professional scope;
  5. The practitioner shall establish or confirm a diagnosis and treatment plan, including documentation regarding the necessity for the utilization of any prescription drug;
  6. The practitioner shall document the patient’s consent to treatment, pertinent history, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment plan, underlying conditions, contraindications and any referrals to appropriate health care providers, including primary care providers and healthcare facilities;
  7. In accordance with the standards of care, the practitioner shall provide appropriate follow-up care or recommend follow-up care with the patient’s primary care provider or other appropriate health care provider or facility; and
  8. The practitioner shall make a medical record of the visit available to the patient.
Additionally, controlled substances may be prescribed by a practitioner to a person for whom the practitioner has not performed a physical examination and who is located in a remote location, so long as the practitioner has met the steps outlined above for authorizing non-controlled substances and one of the following situations exists:
  • The person is an “active patient” of a health care provider who is a colleague of the practitioner, and the controlled substances are provided through an on-call or cross coverage arrangement between the health care providers. Note “active patient” means the practitioner conducted at least one in-person medical evaluation within the previous 24 months;
  • The physician is the medical director, hospice physician or attending physician of a hospice, and the controlled substance is prescribed to a hospice-enrolled patient;
  • The physician is the medical director or attending physician at a state-licensed institutional facility, and the controlled substance is prescribed to a facility inpatient or resident;
  • The patient is in a hospital or clinic registered with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to provide controlled substances when treated by an Ohio licensed physician or other DEA-registered provider furnishing services in accordance with the current standards of practice;
  • The patient is being treated by, and in the physical presence of, an Ohio-licensed physician or other DEA-registered provider and provides services in accordance with the current standards of practice; and
  • The physician has received a special DEA registration to provide controlled substances in the particular situation.

​The Ohio Board’s rules are consistent with changes seen in other states where the law allows for a relaxation of in-person examination requirements to facilitate expanded use of telemedicine.  Even so, practitioners should be aware the standard of care must always be maintained regardless of the method with which treatment is provided to a patient.


CDC information and resources

CDC FAQ for Health-care Professionals

CDC Information for Health-care Professionals

Guidance for Health-care Personnel with Potential Exposure

Infection Control Guidance for Healthcare Professionals about COVID-19

CDC Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations Webinar

Interim Guidance for Implementing Home Care of People Not Requiring Hospitalization forCOVID-19) 

The CDC has developed interim guidance for staff at local and state health departments, infection prevention and control professionals, healthcare providers, and healthcare workers who are coordinating the home care and isolation of people who are confirmed to have or are being evaluated for (COVID-19 (see Criteria to Guide Evaluation of Patients Under Investigation (PUI) for COVID-19). Refer to Interim Guidance for Implementing Home Care of People Not Requiring Hospitalization forCOVID-19) 

Nursing Homes and Long-term Care Facilities


WHO information and resources

WHO Coronavirus Resources

WHO Advice for Health-care Workers

Rolling Updates from WHO


Medicare and Medicaid resources

Medicaid - Managed Care Plan COVID-19 Emergency Provisions

Information from CMS

About OHFAMA