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The Ohio Department of Medicaid Amends Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Rules

Client Alert

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Ohio Administrative Code rule 5160-1-29 Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse provides definitions and examples of fraud, waste, and abuse and describes the Ohio Department of Medicaid's (ODM) program to detect, prevent, and address these issues. OAC 5160-1-29 has been reviewed as part of the five-year rule review process and has been amended to update definitions, language, and citations; add clarifying language; and remove regulatory restrictions in accordance with Ohio Revised Code section 121.95.

As part of its five-year review, ODM has reorganized and clarified the definitions of "Fraud" and "Waste and Abuse":

  • "Fraud" now explicitly refers to the definition in 42 C.F.R. 455.2
  • "Waste and abuse" is now split into two separate definitions:
    • "Waste" is any preventable act leading to unnecessary Medicaid expenditures.
    • "Abuse" is now defined as in 42 C.F.R. 455.2

ODM also adds specificity and clarity to the list of examples, including:

  • Misrepresentation of services, billing for services not provided, and violation of provider agreements.
  • New examples include misrepresenting information on provider applications, ordering excessive quantities of supplies, and non-compliance with service definitions.
    • Provider Fraud – “Non-compliance with the service definitions, activities, coverage, and limitations as listed in the applicable provisions in agency 5160 of the Administrative Code.”
    • Recipient Fraud – “Any action to falsely obtain Medicaid eligibility as described in section 2913.401 of the Revised Code.”

Please contact BMD healthcare attorney Daphne Kackloudis at dlkackloudis@bmdllc.com with questions.


Cleveland Joins the Pay Transparency Movement: What Employers Need to Know

Beginning October 27, 2025, all Cleveland employers with 15 or more employees will be prohibited from asking applicants about their pay history and will be required to include reasonable pay ranges in all job postings where the position will be performed, solicited, considered, or processed in Cleveland. The ordinance is intended to help close the gender wage gap and promote greater pay equity across the city.

New $100,000 Fee on H-1B Petitions – Legal Immigration

President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) imposing a $100,000 payment to accompany any new H-1B visa petitions submitted after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on September 21, 2025 and will remain in place for 12 months (unless extended).

Implications of Supreme Court Stay for Business Operations in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo

On September 8, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily reinstated immigration officers’ authority to conduct brief stops based on factors such as location, work type, language, or appearance. This stay in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo allows enforcement actions to resume in California pending appeal. Employers in industries like construction, agriculture, landscaping, and day labor should prepare for increased worksite disruptions and review compliance protocols.

Ohio House Bill 429: Potential Relief for Providers Facing Same-Day Reimbursement Restrictions

Ohio House Bill 429 aims to prevent third-party payers from reducing provider reimbursement for multiple procedures performed on the same day. The bill could improve payment practices for a range of specialties, including surgery and gastroenterology.

FTC Continues to Target Noncompetes

The FTC is intensifying its focus on noncompete agreements in healthcare, urging employers to review contracts for compliance. While Ohio still generally enforces noncompetes, pending legislation could limit their use.