December 7, 2021

The Office of Mental Health (OMH) has issued emergency Part 596 Telehealth Regulations. These regulations adopt many of the flexibilities put in place under the NYS Executive Order and OMH Commissioner’s Waiver. The full text of the regulation can be found here: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/policy_and_regulations/

As a result, amendments have been made to the Commissioner’s Waiver to allow providers additional time to seek permanent approval for telehealth. All licensed and designated providers are now eligible to apply and should do so as soon as possible if they wish to use telehealth beyond the federal public health emergency. Guidance regarding how to apply can be found here: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/guidance/omh-guidance-to-permanently-add-telemental-health-optional.pdf.

At this time providers should continue to follow the emergency telehealth guidance which will remain in place until the end of the federal public health emergency.