Approved providers could serve mental health patients statewide by telehealth

Approved providers would be allowed to serve patients anywhere in New York by telehealth. This applies to mental health outpatient and rehabilitation providers licensed, designated, or authorized under state law who have written approval to provide telehealth, and to people receiving or seeking their services. A county limit could still apply if state or federal law requires it, or if a state regulation adopted through formal rulemaking expressly sets it. Providers must follow other applicable laws and regulations. The bill would take effect 90 days after it becomes law.

Providers would be allowed to serve some patients at home when telehealth is not a workable option. This applies to approved article 31 telehealth providers serving mental health patients who meet both stated conditions. The patient must be unable or unwilling to attend a clinic, and a clinical assessment must find that telehealth is not a viable option. The commissioner would set the Medicaid payment rate equal to the standard office visit rate for these outpatient services. The bill would take effect 90 days after it becomes law.

The commissioner would issue guidance to regional offices and apply geographic policies uniformly. This applies to the state mental health commissioner and all regional offices overseeing approved article 31 telehealth providers. The guidance would explain county limits and how offices review and approve providers' telehealth plans. A county limit could apply when state or federal law requires it, or when adopted through state rulemaking. The commissioner would issue the guidance within 180 days after this section takes effect.