05/29/2026

We Need Your Help to Reform Prior Authorization in Ohio

OHOS Members

- PLEASE -

We Need Your Help to Reform Prior Authorization in Ohio

Dear OHOS Members,

We have a real opportunity to pass meaningful prior authorization reform in Ohio this year, but we need your help.

House Bill 220 has already passed the Ohio House of Representatives and is now being considered by the Ohio Senate. If approved by the Senate and signed by the Governor, this legislation would provide important protections for cancer patients and healthcare providers while reducing unnecessary administrative barriers that delay care.

The bill would:

• Require insurers and Medicaid to honor an existing prior authorization approval when a provider prescribes a change in dosage for an already approved medication

• Prohibit retroactive denials of prior authorizations in most circumstances

• Eliminate fees charged to providers when appealing prior authorization denials

• Increase transparency in peer-to-peer reviews by requiring disclosure of the reviewing clinician's specialty and relevant qualifications

These reforms address challenges oncology practices face every day and would help ensure patients receive timely access to medically necessary cancer care.

The bill is now advancing through the Senate process, and we anticipate committee hearings in the coming weeks. This is where your voice can make a difference.

Legislators consistently tell us that testimony from providers and healthcare professionals in their districts carries tremendous weight. If oncology providers, practice leaders, nurses, pharmacists, financial advocates, and administrators from across Ohio come together with a unified message, we have an excellent opportunity to help move this bill across the finish line and onto the Governor's desk.

We are identifying potential witnesses now so we can respond quickly when a hearing is scheduled.

PLEASE help us demonstrate the importance of prior authorization reform by providing written testimony in support of House Bill 220. If you are willing to appear provide written testimony or, testify before the Senate committee and provide in-person testimony, please let us know.

We will make this EASY:

• We will draft the testimony for you

• You can review, edit, and add any examples or stories you wish to share

• We will handle the formatting and submission process

All we need from you is:

• Your permission to submit testimony on your behalf

• Whether you will be submitting independently or if you can also submit the testimony as a representative of your organization.

• Whether you are willing to provide written testimony, in-person testimony, or both

• Any examples or stories you are willing to share regarding prior authorization challenges and their impact on patient care

Real-world examples are especially important. Delays in treatment, dosage change approvals, retroactive denials, peer-to-peer review issues, and other prior authorization barriers all help demonstrate why reform is needed.

Every testimony matters.

If oncology professionals from across Ohio speak with one strong voice, we have a real chance to get this legislation passed this year. The Senate needs to hear directly from those caring for cancer patients every day.

TODAY, please email Michelle Weiss, OHOS Executive Director, at mweiss@ohos.org if you are willing to help pass this prior authorization legislation in Ohio.

Together, we can reduce administrative burdens, improve patient access to care, and advance meaningful prior authorization reform for oncology practices and patients throughout Ohio.

Thank you for your advocacy and your commitment to Ohio's oncology community.

Michelle Weiss
Executive Director
Ohio Hematology Oncology Society (OHOS)