House Passes Legislation to Implement Cost-Sharing Requirement Restrictions to Combat the Opioid Epidemic

COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives yesterday passed House Bill 141, legislation to place cost-sharing requirement restrictions on occupational therapy, physical therapy, and chiropractor services. The measure is sponsored by State Reps. Jeff LaRe (R-Violet Twp.) and Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana County). 

Specifically, House Bill 141 will prohibit the cost-sharing requirement for these services from being greater than the cost-sharing requirement for services provided by an individual’s primary care physician.

“In Ohio, high cost-sharing payments have become a common barrier for many medical services,” said LaRe. “We have an obligation to provide our constituents with long-term solutions that reduce reliance on potentially dangerous and addictive short-term, pharmaceutical treatments. House Bill 141 is a step in that direction.”

“We hope that by making therapy a more affordable option, reliance on prescriptions can effectively be reduced,” said Blasdel. “We want to ensure that Ohioans have every incentive to seek meaningful recovery from surgery or injuries and seek evidenced-based therapies and conservative care to manage their pain, empowering them to live healthier and more fulfilling lives.”

Cost-sharing is an out-of-pocket expense made by an individual for their occupational, physical therapy or chiropractor services.

House Bill 141 now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration.