Advocacy Current Issues

The Epilepsy Foundation wants to keep you up to date with what issues are happening in the State Legislature and Congress that affect people living with epilepsy. As issues come up we will add them to this page and we will direct you on what you can do to help. If you have any questions regarding any of these issues please feel free to contact the Foundation office at 614-358-0874.

Ohio Government

  •  Attention Medicaid Consumers:
    - Starting October 1, 2011 our clients and anyone on Medicaid has 90 days to get their Prior Authorization(PA) approved before Jan 2011. If the PA is denied the decision can be appealed.  
    - Injectable Antipsychotics have a 120 day window for PA approval.

    For more information please see the following attachments:
    - Medicaid Pharmacy Changes for Pharmacies and Prescribers: Explanation of the Medicaid Pharmacy changes for Pharmacy & Prescribers
    - RX PA Form for Medicaid OH2011822:This form is used to submit a request for a medication not available without a prior authorization (PA) by the patients Physician to the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) or Managed Care Plan (MCP)
    - RX Member Notice: Notice to anyone currently on Medicaid about the changes that are taking place due to the Medicaid Carve-out effective October 1st 2011
    - MCP Pharmacy Guide: General Pharmacy Information for the 7 Managed Care Organizations(MCO) managing Medicaid in Ohio
    - Injecta: Managed Care Plan (MCP) Pharmacy Reference Guide for Injectable Antipsychotic

 

  • Epilepsy Foundation of Central Ohio Endorses Issue 22: Developmental Disabilities Levy. Click here to learn more!

     

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Highlights From Capitol Hill

 

  • Currently there is no legislation that has been introduced for the current congress. Please check back with this we will update this as soon as we get the data.

 

SUMMARY AS OF:

6/24/2008--Passed House amended. (There is 1 other summary)

Veterans' Epilepsy Treatment Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to designate an epilepsy center of excellence at each of the five centers currently designated for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) research, education, and clinical activities on complex multi-trauma associated with combat injuries.

Requires each center to: (1) employ expert clinical and research staff, including board-certified neurologists and neurosurgeons; and (2) among other things, research the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term effects of epilepsy, and develop a national system of coordinated care for veterans with epilepsy.

Directs the Secretary to designate a national coordinator for epilepsy programs.

Authorizes appropriations.

Report Breakthrough Seizures ...

The FDA encourages people with epilepsy and physicians to report breakthrough seizures resulting from switching formulations of a product to the FDA's Medwatch program. For more information call 1-800-FDA-1088 or go online at the http://www.fda.gov/medwatch web site. That would include brand name to generic or switching from one generic formulation to drug product equivalent manufactured by a different company.