NEW YORK – Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday the proposal for legislation that would expand and improve access to online medical consultations, known as telemedicine, as part of his 2021 New York State Situation Address.
According to the governor, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed inequalities in the health care system and showed that telemedicine is a critical tool for expanding access and reducing costs in low-income communities.
In association with the Reimagine New York Commission, the Governor will enact comprehensive telemedicine reform to help New Yorkers take advantage of the tools of this form of consultation and address existing obstacles. These reforms will address issues such as adjusting reimbursement incentives to encourage telemedicine, addressing technical discomfort between patients and providers through training programs, and establishing other programs to encourage innovative uses of this technique.
“While New York State has been at the forefront of promoting telemedicine for its residents, uptake by patients and providers has been slow,” Governor Cuomo said. “COVID-19 has changed not only the way we live, but also the way health care providers support their patients, especially when it comes to mental health. New Yorkers have adapted throughout 2020, but it’s time to take telemedicine to the next level in New York and declare it and fully integrate it into our existing healthcare system. “
Governor Cuomo proposes comprehensive reforms to permanently embrace COVID-19 era innovations that expanded access to physical health, mental health, and substance use disorder services, including:
- Unlock the benefits of telemedicine through policy modernization.
- Guarantee coverage and reimbursement for telemedicine.
- Expand the use of technological advances in healthcare.
- Support patients and providers through professional development, education, and innovative support programs.
To see more information about this proposal visit this website.
– .
