The bill amends section 5167.12 and enacts new sections 3902.65, 4729.362, and 5164.093 of the Revised Code to enhance accessibility for visually impaired patients regarding prescription medications. It mandates that health benefit plans provide coverage for prescription readers, which are devices that audibly convey essential information from medication labels. Licensed terminal distributors of dangerous drugs are required to notify customers about the availability of prescription readers and must provide them upon request, ensuring that the labels on dispensed medications are compatible with these devices. The bill also specifies that Medicaid programs must cover prescription readers provided by licensed distributors.

Additionally, the bill repeals the existing section 5167.12 and includes provisions that clarify the definitions and requirements related to prescription readers and their use in the context of health care. The new legal language emphasizes the importance of ensuring that visually impaired patients receive the same level of information about their medications as sighted patients, thereby promoting equitable access to health care resources. The changes will take effect for health benefit plans delivered or renewed after the bill's effective date.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 5167.12