Chapter 173-6 Golden Buckeye Card Program

(A) The rules appearing in Chapter 173-6 of the Administrative Code establish criteria for participation in the golden buckeye program by eligible individuals and providers. The program was established by ODA pursuant to sections 173.06 and 173.061 of the Revised Code to assist to serve as a gateway to the following:

(1) Current information on services available from the aging network to support older Ohioans and their families;

(2) Timely information on the issues and changing needs for older Ohioans; and,

(3) Tangible savings and consumer benefits targeted for older Ohioans and Ohioans with a disability.

(B) As used in Chapter 173-6 of the Administrative Code:

(1) “Cardholder” means any individual who possesses a golden buckeye card.

(2) “Director” means the director of ODA.

(3) “Disability” means a total and permanent disability for a person eighteen years of age or older.

(4) “Golden buckeye program” means the program authorized under section 173.06 of the Revised Code.

(5) “ODA” means “the Ohio department of aging.”

(6) “Provider” means either of the following:

(a) A recognized professional (e.g., an optician, a painter) who provides a benefit or discount to cardholders regarding services offered by that professional.

(b) A business entity (e.g., merchant, store, retail sales operation) that provides a benefit or discount to cardholders regarding consumer goods and services sold by that business entity.

(c) A governmental entity (e.g., a public pool) that provides a benefit or discount to cardholders regarding goods or services that it provides.

(7) “Sign-up site” means a location where an individual may apply for a golden buckeye card. A sign-up site may include a senior center, a library, or any other location approved by ODA.

Replaces: 173-6-01, 173-6-02

Effective: 07/01/2007

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 06/30/2011

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 173.02, 173.06

Rule Amplifies: 173.06, 173.061

Prior Effective Dates: 1/12/01; 9/12/02 (Emer.); 12/11/02; 5/8/03 (Emer.); 8/8/03

Any individual who meets one of the following sets of criteria is eligible for a golden buckeye card:

(A) The individual is a resident of Ohio who is sixty years of age or older; or,

(B) The individual is a resident of Ohio who is between eighteen and fifty-nine years of age and has a total and permanent disability.

Replaces: 173-6-03

Effective: 07/01/2007

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 06/30/2011

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 173.02, 173.06

Rule Amplifies: 173.06

Prior Effective Dates: 7/3/80; 12/30/95; 1/12/01; 9/12/02 (Emer.); 12/11/02

(A) ODA may automatically enroll an individual if it receives information from the bureau of motor vehicles that the individual is a resident of Ohio who is sixty years of age or older.

(B) An individual who is a resident of Ohio who is sixty years of age or older that was not automatically enrolled into the golden buckeye program by ODA may apply for a golden buckeye card.

(1) If an individual chooses to apply through a sign-up site, the individual shall do the following:

(a) Complete the application;

(b) Sign the application; and,

(c) Take the completed application along with verification of age (e.g., driver’s license, state identification card, birth certificate) to a sign-up site for processing.

(2) If an individual chooses to apply by mail or by fax, the individual shall do the following:

(a) Complete the application;

(b) Sign the application;

(c) Make a photo copy of a card or document that verifies that the individual is sixty years of age or older (e.g., photo copy of a driver’s license, photo copy of a state identification card, photo copy of a birth certificate); and,

(d) Mail or fax the application and the photo copy required by paragraph (B)(2)(c) of this rule to ODA or to the administrator designated by ODA. This may be accomplished by mailing these documents to the address listed on the application or by faxing these documents to the fax number listed on the application.

(3) If an individual chooses to apply online, the individual shall do the following:

(a) Complete the electronic application provided on the web site of ODA and/or an administrator designated by ODA.

(b) Check the box that says “I agree” that is located on the electronic application one line of text below the following statement: “I declare that the information provided on this application is truthful.”

(C) Once a sign-up site receives an application from an individual who is sixty years of age or older, it shall do the following:

(1) Verify that the application has been completed and signed;

(2) Verify that the individual is sixty years of age or older by documenting the source of information (e.g., driver’s license number, state identification card number) on the application;

(3) Write the name of the sign-up site on the application;

(4) Write the initials of the staff person at the sign-up site who processed the application on the application;

(5) If the sign-up site determines that the individual is eligible for a golden buckeye card, detach the temporary card atop the application form, then provide it to the individual; and,

(6) Fax or mail the completed application to ODA or to an administrator designated by ODA within one week of receiving it from the individual.

(D) Once ODA or an administrator designated by ODA receives an application from a sign-up site or from an individual through the mail, by fax, or online, it shall do the following:

(1) Verify the following:

(a) For a hard-copy application received from a sign-up site, verify that the sign-up site complied with the requirements of paragraphs (C)(1) to (C)(4) of this rule;

(b) For a hard-copy application received from an individual, verify that the individual complied with the requirements of paragraph (B)(2) of this rule; or,

(c) For an electronic application, verify that the application was completed and that the individual complied with the requirements of paragraph (B)(3) of this rule.

(2) Issue a golden buckeye card to an individual who is eligible.

(E) Once an individual is issued a golden buckeye card, the individual shall sign the card. No card is valid unless it is signed by the cardholder.

(F) Once a golden buckeye card is signed, it shall remain valid for the remaining life of the cardholder, unless the card is revoked by ODA due to a fraudulent application or due to fraudulent use of the card.

(G) A cardholder may not transfer a golden buckeye card to any other person.

(H) If a golden buckeye card is lost, stolen, or damaged, a cardholder who is sixty years of age or older may apply for a new card through one of the following means:

(1) A sign-up site, in accordance with paragraph (B)(1) of this rule;

(2) By mail or by fax, in accordance with paragraph (B)(2) of this rule; or,

(3) Online, in accordance with paragraph (B)(3) of this rule.

Replaces: 173-6-03, 173-6-04

Effective: 07/01/2007

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 06/30/2011

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 173.02, 173.06

Rule Amplifies: 173.06

Prior Effective Dates: 7/3/80; 12/30/95; 1/12/01; 9/12/02 (Emer.); 12/11/02

(A) An individual who is a resident of Ohio who is eighteen to fifty-nine years of age with a total and permanent disability may apply for a golden buckeye card.

(1) If the individual chooses to apply through a sign-up site, the individual shall do the following:

(a) Complete the application;

(b) Sign the application;

(c) Take the completed application along with verification of age and verification of a total and permanent disability (e.g., medicare card, SSD/SSI acceptance letter, documentation from PERS, STRS, SERS, or another retirement system for public employees) to a sign-up site for processing.

(2) If an individual chooses to apply by mail or by fax, the individual shall do the following:

(a) Complete the application;

(b) Sign the application;

(c) Make a photo copy of a document that verifies the age of the individual (e.g., photo copy of a driver’s license, photo copy of a state identification card, photo copy of a birth certificate);

(d) Make a photo copy of a card or document that verifies that the individual has a total and permanent disability (e.g., photo copy of a medicare card, photo copy of a SSD/SSI acceptance letter, photo copy of documentation from PERS, STRS, SERS, or another retirement system for public employees); and,

(e) Mail or fax the application and the photo copies required by paragraphs (A)(2)(c) and (A)(2)(d) of this rule to ODA or to the administrator designated by ODA. This may be accomplished by mailing these documents to the address listed on the application or by faxing these documents to the fax number listed on the application.

(3) If an individual chooses to apply online, the individual shall do the following:

(a) Complete the electronic application provided on the web site of ODA and/or an administrator designated by ODA;

(b) Check the box that says “I agree” that is located on the electronic application one line of text below the following statement: “I declare that the information provided on this application is truthful.”; and,

(c) Provide ODA or an administrator designated by ODA with a copy of a card or document that verifies that the individual has a total and permanent disability (e.g., medicare card, SSD/SSI acceptance letter, documentation from PERS, STRS, SERS, or another retirement system for public employees). An individual may provide this information by mail, by fax, or electronically. If an individual chooses to send the information electronically, the individual shall submit it in portable document format (.pdf) or another format that is readable by ODA or an administrator designated by ODA.

(B) Once a sign-up site receives an application from an individual who is eighteen to fifty-nine years of age with a total and permanent disability, it shall do the following:

(1) Verify that the application has been completed and signed;

(2) Verify that the individual is eighteen to fifty-nine years of age by documenting the source of information (e.g., driver’s license number, state identification card number) on the application;

(3) Verify that the individual has a total and permanent disability by documenting the source of information (e.g., medicare card, SSD/SSI acceptance letter, documentation from PERS, STRS, SERS, or another retirement system for public employees) on the application;

(4) Write the name of the sign-up site on the application;

(5) Write the initials of the staff person at the sign-up site who processed the application on the application;

(6) If the sign-up site determines that the individual is eligible for a golden buckeye card, detach the temporary card atop the application form, then provide it to the individual; and,

(7) Fax or mail the completed application to ODA or to an administrator designated by ODA within one week of receiving it from the individual.

(C) Once ODA or an administrator designated by ODA receives an application from a sign-up site or from an individual through the mail or by fax, it shall do the following:

(1) Verify the following:

(a) For an application received from a sign-up site, verify that the sign-up site complied with the requirements of paragraphs (B)(1) to (B)(5) of this rule; or,

(b) For an application received from an individual, verify that the individual complied with the requirements of paragraph (A)(2) of this rule.

(2) Issue a golden buckeye card to an individual who is eligible.

(D) Once an individual is issued a golden buckeye card, the individual shall sign the card. No card is valid unless it is signed by the cardholder.

(E) Once a golden buckeye card is signed, it shall remain valid for the remaining life of the cardholder, unless the card is revoked by ODA due to a fraudulent application or due to fraudulent use of the card.

(F) An cardholder may not transfer a golden buckeye card to any other person.

(G) If a golden buckeye card is lost, stolen, or damaged, a cardholder who is eighteen to fifty-nine years of age with a total and permanent disability may apply for a new card through one of the following means:

(1) A sign-up site, in accordance with paragraph (A)(1) of this rule.

(2) By mail or by fax, in accordance with paragraph (A)(2) of this rule.

Replaces: 173-6-03, 173-6-04

Effective: 07/01/2007

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 06/30/2011

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 173.02, 173.06

Rule Amplifies: 173.06

Prior Effective Dates: 7/3/80; 12/30/95; 1/12/01; 9/12/02 (Emer.); 12/11/02

(A) Any provider wishing to participate in the golden buckeye program shall do the following:

(1) The provider shall complete a hard-copy application or an electronic application found on the web site of ODA and/or an administrator designated by ODA. The provider shall include the following information on the application:

(a) The business name and mailing address (including county) of the provider;

(b) The telephone number, fax number, e-mail address, and internet web address (if any) of the provider;

(c) A general description of the goods or services provided to cardholders by the provider;

(d) The benefit or amount of the discount being offered to cardholders;

(e) A list of any restrictions the provider wishes to place on the use of the card by cardholders, so long as those restrictions do not violate the agreement in paragraph (B) of this rule;

(f) Any other information required by ODA; and,

(g) An acknowledgement that the provider agrees to the terms of the golden buckeye program that are listed in paragraph (B) of this rule. This acknowledgement may be made by one of the following methods:

(i) The provider may sign a hard-copy application below the line of text below a statement that says the provider shall agree to the terms of the golden buckeye program; or,

(ii) The provider may check a box that says “I agree” that is located on the electronic application one line of text below a statement that says the provider agrees to the terms of the golden buckeye program.

(2) If a provider intends to offer benefits or discounts at multiple sites, the provider shall include the information required by paragraph (A)(1) of this rule for each site. A provider may accomplish this by either submitting a hard-copy or electronic spreadsheet that lists each site with the application or by submitting a separate application for each site.

(3) The provider shall submit the completed application to ODA or to an administrator designated by ODA. This may be accomplished by mailing the application to the address listed on the application, by faxing it to the fax number listed on the application, or by electronic submission.

(B) These are the terms to which a provider shall agree when the provider agrees to participate in the golden buckeye program:

(1) Enrollment in the program is voluntary and in good faith;

(2) The provider shall honor the use of the golden buckeye card by all cardholders;

(3) The provider may not change the regular price of its good or services prior to providing a benefit or discount to cardholders;

(4) The provider shall offer a tangible benefit or discount to cardholders that is not available to customers under sixty years of age;

(5) The decision of the provider to honor the golden buckeye card does not imply or constitute an endorsement by ODA of the goods or services of the provider. Although the provider may use the logos and other images of the golden buckeye card in the place of business or in advertisements, the provider may not use the logos and other images of the golden buckeye card in a manner that implies or constitutes an endorsement by ODA of the goods or services of the provider; and,

(6) Any other business-specific requirements as determined necessary by ODA.

(C) After ODA or an administrator designated by ODA receives an application from a provider, it shall determine whether or not the provider may participate in the golden buckeye program. If ODA agrees to allow the provider to participate in the program, ODA shall also determine the effective date of the participation of the provider in the program.

(D) A provider may revise any information submitted to ODA or an administrator designated by ODA by contacting ODA or an administrator designated by ODA.

(E) A provider may cancel its participation in the golden buckeye program at any time and for any reason. This cancellation may be filed by writing or electronically (through the web site of ODA and/or an administrator designated by ODA) to ODA or an administrator designated by ODA.

(F) ODA may cancel the participation of a provider in the golden buckeye program at any time and for any reason. In such a case, ODA shall make the provider aware of the cancellation by mailing a written notice to the provider.

Replaces: 173-6-05

Effective: 07/01/2007

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 06/30/2011

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 173.02, 173.06

Rule Amplifies: 173.06

Prior Effective Dates: 7/3/80; 12/30/95; 1/12/01; 9/12/02 (Emer.); 12/11/02

(A) ODA may maintain records of information obtained from cardholders.

(B) ODA may use the names and addresses in the records to send a mailing to cardholders for the purpose of informing them about the programs of ODA, other governmental agencies, or certain non-profit entities who are approved by ODA.

(C) At the discretion of the director, ODA may provide names and addresses from the records to other governmental agencies and certain non-profit entities that are approved by ODA for the purpose of informing cardholders of programs or information sponsored or supported by those governmental agencies or non-profit entities. Any governmental agency or non-profit entity receiving such information may not use or maintain the information for any purpose other than that for which it was intended by ODA.

(D) ODA may produce a provider directory of all providers or industry-specific providers in partnership with a for-profit entity that is willing to pay all, or to offset a major portion, of the expense of producing such a directory.

(1) ODA may use the names and addresses in the records to mail such a directory to cardholders.

(2) At the discretion of the director, ODA may provide names and addresses from the records to a for-profit entity that produces such a directory. Any for-profit entity receiving such information may not use or maintain the information for any purpose other than that for which it was intended by ODA.

(E) Information in the records that identifies any or all cardholders is not a public record that is subject to inspection or copying in accordance with section 149.43 of the Revised Code, and may be disclosed only at the discretion of the director. The director may disclose only information in the records that does not contain the medical history of a cardholder.

Replaces: 173-6-06

Effective: 07/01/2007

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 06/30/2011

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 173.02, 173.06, 173.62

Rule Amplifies: 173.06, 173.62

Prior Effective Dates: 9/12/02 (Emer.); 12/11/02

Rescinded eff 7-1-07

Rescinded eff 7-1-07