OHIO LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION
Office of Research Legislative Budget
www.lsc.ohio.gov and Drafting Office
H.B. 688 Bill Analysis
134th General Assembly
Click here for H.B. 688’s Fiscal Note
Version: As Reported by House Health
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Lipps
Effective Date:
Anna Holdren, Research Analyst
SUMMARY
 Requires the Department of Medicaid and the Department of Mental Health and
Addiction Services to each operate a prescription digital therapeutics pilot program to
explore the effectiveness of prescription digital therapeutics for the treatment of
substance use disorders.
 Begins the pilot programs as soon as practicable after the bill’s effective date, and ends
them on the sooner of December 31, 2023, or when the appropriated funds are
expended.
 Requires participating treatment providers and the Departments to make best efforts to
include patient participants who have varied demographic backgrounds and experiences
with substance use disorders.
 Requires the Departments to each prepare a report by March 31, 2024, using data
supplied by prescription digital therapeutics venders and aggregated claims data,
describing findings regarding the impact of the pilot programs.
DETAILED ANALYSIS
Prescription digital therapeutics pilot programs
The bill establishes prescription digital therapeutics pilot programs to explore the
effectiveness of prescription digital therapeutics, which are class II medical devices approved or
otherwise authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of substance
 This analysis was prepared before the report of the House Health Committee appeared in the House
Journal. Note that the legislative history may be incomplete.
December 13, 2022
Office of Research and Drafting LSC Legislative Budget Office
use disorders, including opioid use disorders.1 The identical pilot programs are to be operated
by the Department of Medicaid and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.2
Under the pilot programs, patients who have been diagnosed with substance use
disorders and who have been prescribed prescription digital therapeutics must be provided
with the prescription digital therapeutic at no cost to the patient. Both Departments must
acquire prescription digital therapeutics approved or otherwise authorized for the treatment of
substance use disorders for the pilot programs.3
Pilot program duration
The pilot programs will operate beginning as soon as practicable after the bill’s effective
date, and will end on December 31, 2023, unless appropriated funds are expended sooner, in
which case the pilot programs will end on the date the funds are expended.4
Identification of program participants
Each treatment provider participating in the pilot programs must identify patients who
have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder and who have been prescribed a
prescription digital therapeutic as part of treatment. Participating patients will be provided
prescription digital therapeutic access by activating an access code. Additionally, participating
treatment providers and the Departments must make best efforts to include patient
participants who have varied demographic backgrounds and experiences with substance use
disorders, including medication-assisted treatment and other behavioral health services.5
Reports
The bill requires the Departments to each prepare a report, using data supplied by
prescription digital therapeutics venders and aggregated claims data, describing findings
regarding the impact of the pilot programs. The reports must be submitted to the chairpersons
and ranking minority members of the House of Representatives and Senate standing
committees that consider health and human services issues by March 31, 2024, and must
describe:
 The population included in the pilot program;
 The successes and challenges of the program;
 Treatment access for program participants;
 Participant satisfaction;
1 Sections 2(A) and 4(A).
2 Sections (2) and (4).
3 Sections 2(B) and 4(B).
4 Sections 2(D) and 4(D).
5 Sections 2(C) and 4(C).
P a g e |2 H.B. 688
As Reported by House Health
Office of Research and Drafting LSC Legislative Budget Office
 Participant treatment goals and whether the goals are achieved;
 Impacts related to health equity;
 A comparison of hospitalizations among program participants compared to other
patients being treated for substance use disorders by participating treatment providers;
and
 Recommendations for future coverage of prescription digital therapeutics.6
HISTORY
Action Date
Introduced 05-25-22
Reported, H. Health ---
ANHB0688RH-134/ks
6 Sections 2(E) and 4(E).
P a g e |3 H.B. 688
As Reported by House Health