The General Assembly passed H.B. 166 last week, which was signed into law shortly thereafter by Governor DeWine, and included many items related to long term care (LTC).

LTC providers should be on the lookout for more guidance in the coming months – but note the process of a change of operator (CHOP) in Ohio for licensure is going to increase in sophistication and increase the demand placed upon incoming operators. They have not released what the new forms will look like – however, the statute requires:

• For a non-lease transfer, proof of financial resources to cover revenue shortfalls for 12 months.
• For a lease transfer, bond of at least one million dollars or financial resources to cover revenue shortfalls for 12 months.
• Five years’ experience as an operator, manager or administrator of a nursing home.
• Quality assurance and risk management plans.
• General and personal liability insurance at least one million dollars per occurrence, three million dollars total coverage.

Taft has been in close contact with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and will continue to monitor the release of the new CHOP application process closely. ODH has indicated that there is no set time frame for when these changes will be put into effect.