Support HB (House Bill) 81 & SB (Senate Bill) 55 to stop unlicensed massage!

American Massage Therapy Association – Ohio Chapter

What do the bills do?

-A loophole currently exists in Ohio law that allows individuals to perform massage, as long as they do not call what they are doing “massage therapy” or advertise their practice as “medical” or “therapeutic massage”.  HB 81 and SB 55 close this loophole.

Why does Ohio need this legislation?

-Ohio has a proud history of recognizing massage therapists as an integral part of the healthcare delivery system and has maintained a highly regarded license at the State Medical Board. Ohio’s loophole needs to be closed. Unlicensed massage puts patients at risk of harm and injury and puts LMTs in danger of bad actors. At best, unlicensed massage could hurt patients due to untrained techniques, and at worst, is used as a front for human trafficking and prostitution.

Do HB 81 and SB 55 allow townships to increase fees on LMTs?

-No. The $250 filling fee and $125 renewal fee mentioned in the bills are current law (and could be done today) and require a legislative action by the individual township trustees to be issued.

-Under current law, townships can regulate massage and can create and require their own township massage license. HB 81 and SB 55 delete their ability to “create a license” and amends their oversight ability.  Also, under current law, a township could pass a law requiring LMTs to get periodic physical exams to confirm that the LMT “is free of communicable diseases.”  HB 81 and SB 55 delete this ability.

What do HB 81 and SB 55 do for local governments?

-Both bills retain township and municipal (under home rule) authority to zone, set hours, and make laws considered necessary, but requires that any massage be done by an LMT.

Will these bills help the large massage franchises only?

-No. HB 81 and SB 55 will stop unlicensed massage. All LMTs in good standing with the State Medical Board, no matter their location of business, will continue to be able to practice with no new oversight from the State of Ohio

Why should LMTs support these bills?

-Licensed Massage Therapists ARE trained limited practitioners of medicine. These bills recognize LMTs as such and takes back our medical profession from bad actors such as human traffickers. This bill prioritizes the health and safety of LMTs, our patients, and the entire State of Ohio.

AMTA HB 81 SB 55 FAQ (click to view as a pdf)

With the support of the Medical Board of Ohio, the AMTA submitted testimony in support of an advisory committee for massage therapy.

Here is the link to the video:

http://ohiochannel.org/collections/ohio-house-finance-subcommittee-on-health-and-human-services

(Segment begins at 1 hour & 33 mins into the committee meeting)

Here is the Statement made by AMTA Ohio President, Melissa Ryan

 

License Extended to July 1, 2021

(Click the text above for full statement from the Medical Board)

Medical Board licensees who have licenses set to expire during the period of emergency (March 9, 2020 – April 1, 2021) now have until July 1, 2021 to renew their license.

Despite this renewal extension, all affected licensees are still able to renew at their regularly scheduled deadline. A couple benefits to doing so are:
1. There is no risk of forgetting to do so later resulting in an expired license and having to pay an additional late renewal fee.
2. Staying on the same renewal cycle timeline you are used to. Whether you renew now or at a later date, your next license renewal date will not change. For example, if your license is due to expire on January 1, 2021, your next renewal date will be on January 1, 2023, regardless of when you renew during this extension period.

You may check the expiration date of your license at eLicense.ohio.gov.

Spoofing Scam Continues

Warning from the State Medical Board of Ohio

Licensees should remain aware that a scam continues to target and affect Ohio prescribers. Scammers are calling, faxing and emailing medical professionals claiming to be agents of the State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO), agents of the DEA or agents of the FBI. These scammers claim that the professionals’ medical and drug licenses have been compromised and are being used by other entities in a drug trafficking scheme. As a result of these allegations, the scammers direct the medical provider to wire money to foreign bank accounts. Please remember, SMBO investigators, DEA agents and FBI agents will not ask for fine payment or personal/sensitive information over the phone.

When the scammers communicate via phone call, they spoof the legitimate phone number for the SMBO (614-466-3934). Be aware that scammers have the ability to spoof phone numbers to appear as though they legitimately belong to the entity they are claiming to be. If the Medical Board is truly conducting an investigation, and that individual faces action against their license, they will receive an official notice of opportunity for a hearing either via certified mail or by personal service. Further, emails originating from actual Medical Board staff end in @med.ohio.gov.

Check your Email & Spam folder for an email from the Medical Board

Letter To Therapists About Renewal

Click the link to see the example

Don’t Delay, Renew Today!

License Renewals Due December 1, 2020!

Previously, the State of Ohio passed a law which extended your license expiration date to either 90 days after the declared COVID-19 emergency ended, or December 1, 2020, depending on which occurred first.

Although the state emergency has not been lifted, the December 1, 2020 deadline is approaching and will be enforced. By law, you will need to renew your license by December 1 for it to remain active. As a reminder, your renewal schedule has not changed, even though you were permitted to renew your license later than usual. For example, if your normal license renewal was due on June 30, 2020, your next renewal date will be on June 30, 2022, regardless of when you renewed during this extension period.

To renew your license, log into your account at elicense.ohio.gov.

Please feel free to contact the medical board at License@med.ohio.gov if you have any questions or need any assistance during the renewal process.

 

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