Telehealth services and their availability are expanding rapidly and the state of New York is prepared. Numerous avenues exist for those seeking services and providers are in place as well.
New York continues to implement telehealth services in many different ways and is anticipating ever increasing client use. As far back as December 2016, New York Blue Cross Blue Shield announced their expectation that as many as 50,000 members would visit their newly launched telehealth service. Since 2020 this number has multiplied many times over.
Finger Lakes Community Health has been offering telehealth services for years. This includes dental, vision, behavioral, and occupational services, as well as clinical mentoring and distance education. Columbia Memorial Hospital is sending certain clients home with telehealth kits with the intent to reduce return hospital visits. The first batch of kits were secured via a grant and include an iPhone with an RPM app that allows them to check their vitals daily on Bluetooth scales, blood pressure cuffs and pulse oximeters. All combined, these tools enable patients to monitor themselves, complete questionnaires and be in communication with a case manager when and if necessary.
Telebehavioral health providers and clients in New York have a plethora of resources, such as:
Clearly defined guidelines
A list of health providers
Suicide tool kit
Services for residents of New York City
Insurance and reimbursement are a topic of conversation regarding telehealth services. Like other states, New York has a parity law that requires that insurance coverage is available for telehealth services if they are also available for face-to-face health care.
Care providers are needed in telehealth care services. Assistance with establishing your own program can be found at:
The Telehealth Network
Your local telehealth resource center
New York clinicians are using technology to provide and participate in care coordination.
New York eHealth Collaborative
HealtheConnections
New York continues to improve the efficiency and efficacy of telehealth in the state. Awareness of services and increased availability of providers will maintain continuity and improvements in the field of telehealth services.
The course was so informative and I was glued to my screen for the entire duration. I received so much knowledge concerning ethics in telehealth and I am greatly encouraged to read about all the standards and policies that pertain to my practice. Thank you!.