As state and federal officials intensify scrutiny of Medicaid fraud and abuse, Ohio lawmakers this week introduced legislation aimed at strengthening oversight, transparency, and accountability within the hospice sector.
House Bill 945, sponsored by Rep. Andrea White and Rep. Bill Roemer, reflects months of collaboration between Rep. White and LeadingAge Ohio hospice leaders to develop thoughtful, targeted safeguards designed to protect patients, families, and responsible providers.
The bill arrives during a week of heightened national and state attention on fraud prevention efforts involving Medicaid-funded services, including hospice and home- and community-based care. LeadingAge Ohio has consistently supported stronger oversight measures that protect public resources while preserving access to high-quality care for older Ohioans.
Importantly, the legislation was shaped by nonprofit, mission-driven hospice providers that believe stronger standards help protect the integrity of hospice care and reinforce public trust in the program.
The legislation includes several new program integrity provisions aimed at identifying and preventing questionable practices before they take root in Ohio. Among other measures, the bill would establish a temporary moratorium on new hospice licenses and certain ownership transfers, require annual license renewals, strengthen criminal background check requirements, and require operational office space and infrastructure for providers.
The bill also targets ownership and operational patterns that regulators in other states have identified as warning signs for fraud and abuse. Proposed provisions would limit how many hospice programs a single administrator or medical director may oversee, increase disclosure requirements for out-of-state operators, and strengthen the state’s authority to deny, suspend, or revoke licenses tied to concerning quality or compliance histories.
In addition, House Bill 945 would require the Ohio Department of Health to monitor hospice quality and utilization metrics quarterly, including live discharge rates, length of stay, family satisfaction, and transitions of care, with follow-up surveys triggered when providers exceed established thresholds.
LeadingAge Ohio believes that this legislation will support legitimate providers while helping regulators identify bad actors that undermine care quality and public confidence.
LeadingAge Ohio also continues to advocate for additional transparency tools to help families make informed hospice care decisions, including expanded public reporting and inclusion of hospice providers within Ohio’s Long-Term Care Quality Navigator.