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Promotion of Telehealth Services Among AIDS Institute-funded Contractors to Mitigate Spread of COVID-19
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Sent: Monday, March 16, 2020 3:23 PM
Subject: Promotion of Telehealth Services Among AIDS Institute-funded Contractors to Mitigate Spread of COVID-19
Dear AIDS Institute Funded Organization:
Although HIV infection has not specifically been identified as a risk factor for COVID-19, all immune-compromised individuals are presumed at higher susceptibility for severe illness. Employing telehealth technology is an important tool in combating community spread of COVID-19, protecting those we serve, and mitigating the threat that COVID-19 poses to our progress toward meeting ETE goals.
Effective immediately - the NYSDOH AIDS Institute (AI) strongly recommends for all AI-funded clinical providers and community-based organizations that telehealth or other virtual care technologies be utilized to provide patient and client care remotely to the extent it is practical. The intent of this recommendation is to promote continuity of care for vulnerable populations during a period of increased burden on traditional clinical settings. This recommendation applies to all services within the scope of the AI, including both care and prevention of HIV, HCV, STI and Substance Use.
Services that should be considered for virtual/remote delivery include assessment, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, education, care management and/or self-management, among others. All health care services delivered via telehealth must conform to the same governing statutes and regulations for the setting in which the services originate. Practitioners providing services via telehealth must be licensed or certified, and currently registered in accordance with NYS Education Law or other applicable law.
Per the New York State Telehealth Parity Law, commercial insurers and Medicaid are required to provide reimbursement for services delivered via telehealth if those services would have been covered if delivered in person. (Public Health Law (PHL) Article 29-G, Social Services Law §367-u, and Insurance Law §3217-h.) Medicaid Fee-for-Service (FFS) and Medicaid Managed Care (MMC) billing rules for telehealth services are available, as is a Medicaid Update Special Edition, issued by the New York State Department of Health, featuring Guidance for Telephonic Communication Services During a State of Emergency Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19). Practitioners and patients/consumers must consult individual insurance plans to confirm available coverage of telehealth services.
Thank you for your ongoing work.
Charles Gonzalez, MD Medical Director
AIDS Institute
New York State Department of Health
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