In 2018, the Ohio General Assembly established a program that allows an eligible practitioner who is impaired due to a substance use disorder to avoid formal disciplinary action by the State Medical Board (SMBO) by utilizing established confidential monitoring and treatment conditions as defined in ORC 4731.251 and 4731.252 - this is known as the One-Bite Program. The One-Bite Program is available for individuals licensed under chapters: 4731-physician or limited branch of medicine (MT/CT); 4730-physician assistant; 4759-dietitian; 4760-anesthesiologist assistant; 4761-respiratory care professional; 4762-acupuncturist or oriental medicine practitioner; 4774-radiologist assistant; or 4778-genetic counselor.
In 2019, the Ohio Physicians Health Program (OhioPHP) was approved by the State to serve as the sole monitoring organization responsible for determining whether a practitioner is eligible to participate in the One-Bite Program and for administering the One-Bite Program. Reports of suspected impairment related to a practitioner licensed by the SMBO are required to be made to OhioPHP. OhioPHP shall not disclose to the SMBO the name or any records relating to a participant under the One-Bite Program unless certain conditions exist and in accordance with ORC 4731.251(D).
The One-Bite Program is defined along with program requirements in Ohio Revised Code 4730.32(B), 4731.224(B), 4731.251, 4731.252, and 4731.253, 4759.13, 4760.16(B), 4761.19, 4762.16(B), 4774.16(B), and 4778.17. Rules for administering the program can be found under Ohio Administrative Code sections 4731-16-17, 4731-16-18, 4731-16-19, 4731-16-20, and 4731-16-21.
For additional information contact info@ophp.org or call (614) 841-9690. See FAQs here.
PROFESSIONALS LICENSED BY THE STATE MEDICAL BOARD OF OHIO
PROFESSIONALS LICENSED BY THE OHIO STATE DENTAL BOARD
While no formal one-bite rule is written for those professionals licensed under the Ohio State Dental Board, a reporting exception is honored by the Board. This occurs so long as the dentist has completed treatment with a Board approved treatment provider (Minimum of 28 days residential) and maintained uninterrupted sobriety. In addition, the dentist must adhere to all other statutory requirements (and complete 52 sessions of aftercare at an approved treatment provider).
The Ohio State Dental Board's treatment requirements are codified in Section 4715-301 of the Ohio Revised Code.
To be eligible for the one-bite exception with the Ohio State Dental Board, monitoring is required to be established with OhioPHP to document sobriety to support the dentist's continuation in or the return to dental practice. For additional information contact info@ophp.org or call (614) 841-9690.
PROFESSIONALS LICENSED BY THE OHIO VETERINARY MEDICAL LICENSING BOARD
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 4741.221, the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board honors treatment in lieu of disciplinary action for any professional licensed under their Board so long as they are referred to OhioPHP. OhioPHP will refer out for appropriate evaluation and treatment at a facility that specializes in evaluating and treating healthcare professionals with substance-related and addictive disorders. Additional rules for treatment providers for veterinarians with substance abuse problems can be found in Ohio Revised Code Section 4741.31.
To be eligible for this non-disciplinary process by the Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board, monitoring is required to be established with OhioPHP to document sobriety to support the veterinarian's continuation in or the return to practice. For additional information contact info@ophp.org or call (614) 841-9690.
PROFESSIONALS LICENSED BY THE OHIO VISION PROFESSIONALS BOARD
Under a Board Policy Statment, the Ohio State Board of Optometry established a “one bite” exception whereby an impaired optometrist may preclude Board intervention, and the optometrist’s colleagues may be excused from reporting the impairment, so long as the optometrist has completed treatment at a facility approved by the Board, maintains uninterrupted sobriety, and enters into a monitoring agreement with the Ohio Physicians Health Program (OhioPHP) or other Board approved program. In addition, the optometrist must adhere to all other statutory requirements. When the Ohio State Board of Optometry was consolidated with other Boards, now known as the Ohio Vision Professionals Board, this policy continues to be honored. The One-Bite Policy Statement can be found here.
For additional information contact info@ophp.org or call (614) 841-9690.
PROFESSIONALS LICENSED BY THE OHIO STATE CHIROPRACTIC BOARD
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 4734.32, a chiropractor is not required to be reported to the OSCB so long as they are participating in treatment or aftercare for substance abuse as long as he/she maintains participation in accordance with requirements of section 4734.40 of the Ohio Revised Code. The Ohio Physicians Health Program (OhioPHP) can provide monitoring services to assist with navigating a practitioner through the rules to ensure he/she meets these requirements.
For additional information contact info@ophp.org or call (614) 841-9690.
PROFESSIONALS LICENSED BY THE OHIO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, PHYSICAL THERAPY, AND ATHLETIC TRAINERS BOARD
As of January 1, 2023, the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Trainers Board (OTPTAT Board) developed a safe haven program for all licensees and applicants. The safe haven program is a confidential path for individuals to seek help for burnout, mental health or substance use disorders and a therapeutic alternative to regulatory awareness. Any OTPTAT licensee or applicant who needs assistance with burnout, behavioral health, mental health, or substance use disorder or other medical condition is eligible to participate in the safe haven program. More information can be found under Ohio Administrative Code 4755-2-01, Impaired practitioner rules and safe haven program for license holders and applicants.
For additional information contact info@ophp.org or call (614) 841-9690.
See the OTPTAT safe haven program brochure here. Learn more by reading FAQs here.