OH HB81

Requires health insuring corporation policies covering basic health care services to provide benefits for diabetes self-management education, medical nutrition therapy, and diabetes medications, equipment, and supplies when medically necessary.

Mandates that sickness and accident insurance policies and public employee benefit plans provide the same diabetes-related benefits, with copayments and deductibles not exceeding those for other medications and equipment.

Specifies coverage minimums including 10 hours of diabetes self-management education during the first 12 months and 2 hours annually thereafter, with medical nutrition therapy provided by licensed dietitians.

Allows insurers to request exemption from coverage requirements if actuarial documentation shows costs would increase basic health care premiums by more than 1% annually, subject to superintendent of insurance approval.

Creates the Small Business Health Care Affordability Task Force to study state tax incentives for health insurance coverage, wellness programs, and federal health insurance legislation, with findings due within six months of the initial meeting.