April 5, 2022

Although the state budget is late,  it is our understanding that on the telehealth front negotiations to secure a deal that would secure Telehealth protections AND ensure reimbursement for TH on par with FTF care in the Medicaid Program AND from private health plans.

Today we need to keep the pressure on Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to get a deal done on this issue, despite pushback he may be experiencing.  Please make a call today in support of a 3-way deal on telehealth that results in rate parity.  

Call Speaker Heastie: (518) 455-3791 Begin by identifying yourself as a provider of mental health and/or substance use disorder services in (whatever part of NY you are located).

Main script: 1) Speaker Heastie, please negotiate a 3 way telehealth deal that ensures mental health and/or substance use disorder providers can afford to continue to provide telehealth services      when a client requests services via this modality, and the clinician feels it is appropriate. 2) Person-centered care begins with meeting the client wherever he/she is at.  3) Telehealth is merely a tool that allows New Yorkers who cannot travel to care, to access it as needed.  4) Face-to-face care will not disappear.  Telehealth is simply another tool in the toolbox to ensure access to care for all New Yorkers, beginning with underserved communities across the state.

Thank you!!!!