The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) today announced the
adoption of new, expanded telepsychiatry regulations to give New Yorkers
greater access to a range of mental health services using electronic
communication.
The new regulations allow
more mental health practitioners to utilize virtual technology to
provide or support clinical psychiatric care at a distance. Previous
regulations only permitted psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse
practitioners to utilize the technology.
“Telemedicine is an exciting avenue for the Office of Mental Health
to explore, as we work diligently to expand access to mental health
services and psychiatric consultations,” said OMH Commissioner, Dr. Ann
Sullivan. “But as we adopt and use telepsychiatry and telemental health,
it’s important to remember that this technology is to be used in
combination with, but not as a replacement for a broader treatment plan
and support services. With that in mind, the possibilities these
expanded regulations provide are very promising.“
In 2014, 65 percent of New York counties were designated as “mental
health professional shortage areas” under either State or federal
designations. Over the last five years, the Office of Mental Health has
been working to combat the state’s psychiatric and mental health
professional shortage by exploring avenues in telehealth to best serve
individuals who are unable to access care.
Utilizing telehealth technology can provide access to services when
on-site treatment options are unavailable-- due to distance, location,
time of day, or availability of resources. Participating providers are
required to give prospective clients information about the use of
telemental health to ensure they can make an informed decision about the
treatment delivery method.
The updated regulations build upon the 2016 regulations to
now allow psychologists, licensed social workers, and mental health
counselors, marriage & family therapists, creative arts therapists,
and psychoanalysts (licensed under Article 163 of the State Education
Law) to utilize virtual therapy appointments. Because of this expansion,
the New York State service has changed names from “telepsychiatry” to
“telemental health.”
Telemental health will now be permitted at more hub locations,
including a practitioner’s home office and private practice settings.
Prescribers may be located anywhere within the US, while other
practitioner types may be located anywhere within NYS.
The regulations also expand the originating site to be anywhere the
client is located within the state. Temporary locations are also
permitted within and outside of the state. Additionally, the regulations
add Assertive Community Treatment and Personalized Recovery-Oriented
Service sites as eligible treatment settings.
Source: NYSOMH
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