The NYS Office of Mental Health has developed and distributed guidelines to help people manage the anxiety caused by their concerns over the COVID-19 epidemic. The guidance document, available on the OMH website has general information for the public, as well as specific guidelines for people receiving mental health services, mental health providers, caregivers of elderly individuals and for parents, including parents of children with pre-existing anxiety disorders.
The Department of Financial Services (DFS) today announced it has adopted a new emergency regulation under New York Insurance Law requiring New York State insurance companies to waive cost-sharing, including, deductibles, copayments (copays), or coinsurance for in-network telehealth visits. Telehealth is the use of electronic information and communication technologies by a health care provider to deliver health care services to an insured while an insured is located at a site that is different from the site where the health care provider is located.
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) announced new measures to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus and ensure that New Yorkers have safe access to the mental health and addiction treatment services they need. Streamlining the approval process and regulations governing telehealth services will quickly allow more healthcare providers to utilize the practice for the duration of the of the COVID-19 emergency.
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) has awarded a $45,000 grant to the Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition to expand their awareness campaign, Join the Conversation, into Niagara County. The Coalition’s campaign promotes mental health awareness and fights the stigma surrounding mental illness, which can be a barrier preventing people from seeking the help and treatment they need.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a major milestone in creating and preserving more than 62,000 units of affordable and supportive housing as part of his historic $20 billion, five-year plan to combat homelessness and create affordable housing for all New Yorkers. As of December 31, 2019, construction and preservation is completed or underway on more than 56,000 affordable housing units across the State, which is on schedule for the five-year plan. Additionally, 6,000 supportive units have been funded, over 4,000 of which are part of the Governor's Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the members of the Medicaid Redesign Team II. The Governor announced in his FY 2021 Executive Budget address that the Team will find savings in the Medicaid program in the same way the first Medicaid Redesign Team, or MRT I, which he established in 2011, set the course for recurring savings that kept the program's spending growth to less than half the national average. The reconstituted team, known as MRT II, will develop a comprehensive set of recommendations to build on the successful strategy of the original MRT while identifying changes to the State's Medicaid program that will generate $2.5 billion in recurring savings within the upcoming FY 2021 State budget.
OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan, testifies on the 2020-2021 Executive Budget.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the 35th proposal of his 2020 State of the State Agenda - addressing veteran and law enforcement suicides and homelessness. Under the proposal, the Governor will direct funding within the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program to be used to close the gap in veterans housing across the state. The Governor will also direct the State Office of Mental Health to partner with veterans and law enforcement organizations to coordinate on suicide prevention initiatives including new efforts to reduce the stigma of mental illness.