Resources

Client Alerts, News Articles, Blog Posts, & Multimedia

Everything you need to know about BMD and the industry.

The Ohio Department of Medicaid Announces Four Next Generation MyCare Plans

Client Alert

On November 1, 2024, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) announced four managed care organizations that will become ODM’s Next Generation MyCare plans starting January 2026. MyCare Ohio is a managed care program that supports Ohioans across 29 counties enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid.

Currently, Buckeye Health Plan, CareSource, Molina HealthCare of Ohio, Aetna Better Health of Ohio, and United Healthcare Community Plan make up the MyCare plans available to plan participants. Ohioans will continue to receive coverage under the existing MyCare plans until the Next Generation MyCare plans take effect in 2026.  

ODM’s Next Generation MyCare program strives to enhance both the MyCare member and provider experience. ODM Director Maureen Corcoran shared that the Next Generation plans were selected “after more than a year of stakeholder engagement efforts that gathered patient feedback from members, family caregivers and other stakeholders across the state.”[1] She explained that these efforts helped ODM to “understand their experiences with healthcare and the associated life choices, with a focus on how to improve individual health outcomes and population wellness.”[2] As a result, ODM awarded the following plans to serve MyCare members starting in 2026:

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
  • Buckeye Health Plan
  • CareSource
  • Molina HealthCare of Ohio

Members currently enrolled in Aetna Better Health of Ohio or United Healthcare Community Plan will be required to select a new plan from the list of Next Generation MyCare plans. ODM will provide these members with enrollment information before their coverage lapses in January 2026.

For MyCare members currently enrolled in Buckeye Health Plan, CareSource, or Molina Healthcare of Ohio, no action is required for those who would like to continue with their existing plan. However, they may elect to change their coverage to a different Next Generation plan.

The newly selected plans promote the program’s goals of:

  • Focusing on the individual
  • Improving individual and population wellness and health outcomes
  • Creating a personalized care experience
  • Supporting providers in continuously improving car
  • Improving care for individuals with complex needs to promote independence in the community
  • Increasing program transparency and accountability

ODM stated that statewide expansion of the program is expected to follow the transition to the Next Generation MyCare plans.

If you have questions about the Next Generation MyCare program, please contact BMD Healthcare Member Daphne Kackloudis at dlkackloudis@bmdllc.com or Attorney Kate Crawford at khcrawford@bmdllc.com.


[1] Ohio Medicaid Announces MyCare Ohio Plans Chosen to Serve Ohioans in Next Generation Program, Ohio Dept. of Medicaid (Nov. 1, 2024), https://medicaid.ohio.gov/news/press-release/odm-nextgen-mycare-ohio-plans.

[2] Id.


FTC Increases Targeting of Companies Lacking Cyber Protection

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently released a comprehensive cybersecurity report outlining key findings and recommendations based on emerging threats, trends in data breaches, and strategies for businesses to enhance their cybersecurity posture observed over the last year.

New Federal Medical Conscience Rule and Its Implications

The Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights issued a Final Rule to clarify protections for healthcare providers who refuse services based on religious or moral beliefs. This includes protection against discrimination for refusing procedures like assisted suicide or abortion. The OCR can receive complaints, conduct investigations, and enforce these protections. Entities are encouraged to update policies accordingly and display a model notice provided by the OCR.

Marijuana Reclassification and APRN/PA Prescribing

Marijuana is expected to be reclassified by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from a Schedule I controlled substance to a Schedule III controlled substance as a result of efforts by the Biden administration.

Federal Trade Commission Voids Non-Compete Agreements Nationwide

On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued its Final Rule containing regulations impacting non-compete agreements across the country for all employees. The Final Rule implements some of the most impactful changes to employment law during this century. The Final Rule will take effect 120 days from its publication in the Federal Register, which we expect to occur within the next few weeks.

Department of Labor Finalizes Rule with Substantial Salary Increases for White-Collar Overtime Exemptions

On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule that will significantly impact overtime eligibility for white-collar employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This rule implements a dramatic increase in the minimum salary level required for an employee to be exempt under the FLSA’s administrative, executive, and professional exemptions (the so-called “white collar exemptions”) as well as the FLSA’s highly compensated employee exemption.