New York adopts emergency telemedicine rules

The New York Workers’ Compensation Board announced emergency rules allowing telemedicine in some circumstances that will be in effect for the next three months.

The board on Jan. 11 said it adopted the rules to supersede the previous emergency telemedicine regulations that were adopted in October 2021.

“For social distancing purposes and to avoid furthering the outbreak of COVID-19, including new variants, the emergency adoption allows telemedicine visits in some circumstances to avoid in-person visits to authorized providers when medically appropriate, consistent with guidance issued by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services,” the WCB said in a regulatory impact statement. “This regulation will permit physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, chiropractors, physical therapists and occupational therapists to treat using telehealth due to COVID-19, including new variants.”

The board, which has adopted emergency telehealth rules nine times since March 2020, said the regulations are effective for providing care to workers. The agency added that it wants to keep the current rules in effect during the process to adopt a permanent regulation addressing when telehealth can be used.

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