Telehealth Services

Telehealth plays a valuable role when on-site services are delayed or not available. Telehealth can:

"Telehealth" is defined as the use of telehealth technologies by telehealth practitioners to provide mental health services at a distance.

2015: OMH introduces 14 NYCRR Part 596, establishing a formal set of standards for using "telepsychiatry"

2016: OMH expands regulation to allow the use of telepsychiatry beyond licensed MHL Article 31 mental health clinic settings.

2019: OMH amends regulation:

2022: OMH further expands the regulation:

Changes the term Telemental Health to Telehealth, aligning with all state agencies
Allows for the use of audio-only
Strengthens language around consent and recipient preference
Expands the definition of telehealth practitioner
Removes PROS and ACT specific language
Allows the ability for all telehealth practitioners to deliver services from outside NYS
Removes the requirement of an in-person initial assessment
Allows the use of telehealth for Article 9 admissions

OMH offers direction to licensed or designated providers who wish to offer telehealth to their clients. The guidelines describe the implications for:

OMH is in the process of updating Telehealth Guidance.

Comments or questions about the information on this page can be directed to telehealth@omh.ny.gov

Office of Mental Health