Dear Early Intervention Providers,
 
Please read the following guidelines regarding Telehealth services:
 
  1. Continue to document absences due to COVID-19 on session notes and non-delivery forms.
  2. Telehealth sessions MUST be offered to ALL families and documented in session notes.
  3. If parents decline Telehealth, please document the reason and inform the OSC on the case.
  4. The Telehealth consent form MUST be signed by the families and submitted to the OSC before the first Telehealth session is provided (provider or OSC can obtain this – whichever is quicker)
  5. All telehealth services need to utilize a family training/coaching model.
  6. Telehealth sessions will be billed on the current IFSP authorizations in NYEIS.
  7. All sessions must be provided as listed on the IFSP. The minimum time periods were given as a legal guide by NYS because every county provides services differently.
  8. Session notes for Telehealth session should indicate that “virtual session provided due to COVID-19” if unable to obtain parent signature right away, for billing purposes.   
  9. Session notes can be emailed to families for signatures or signed once the restrictions are lifted.
  10. Providers that have been assigned to new cases can provide virtual services until the restrictions are lifted.
  11. For families who are offered and decline virtual services, providers should document this in their notes. Providers can wait and complete one non-delivery form for the entire State of Emergency.
  12. Make-up sessions can be done within the entire IFSP period.
  13. New York State Bureau of Early Intervention will be releasing a question and answer sheet shortly to address these issues.
 
Click here for a fillable Telehealth Consent Form. Please remember that this form MUST be signed prior to the first Telehealth session. Please also see the following guidance documents:



Be aware at this time, NYTPS is NOT conducting evaluations via Telehealth.
 
During this time, we would like to stress the importance of documenting all details possible in session or absent notes. Please be extra detailed in your documenting of Telehealth sessions as well as reasons for absences. Please also be in constant communication with the OSCs of the children you treat regarding Telehealth services. We at New York Therapy hope that you and your families are staying safe and healthy during these difficult times.
 

Thank you for your cooperation.
 
-Management Team, NYTPS