Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (D-Theresa) has announced legislation she sponsored that will allow for the expansion of telehealth services to adult care facilities licensed by the state has been signed by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.
Assemblywoman Jenne has long seen expansion of telehealth medicine as an important component of expanding access to health care in the North County and around the state.
"Some patients in the North Country are travelling two, three and even four hours to meet with specialists on a regular basis. Those trips are often difficult for patients in good weather, and I know those trips are even more challenging in the winter months," she said.
Assemblywoman Jenne said the new legislation will provide the opportunity for adult care facilities to use telehealth services when they are amenable to a patients' medical needs.
It also will provide an attractive option for more routine medical visits.
"This bill means seniors could connect with their physicians without having to go out in the cold weather or having to sit in a medical office, where they are being exposed to other patients being treated for communicable diseases such as colds and the flu. It could even reduce the need for some patients to be transported to hospital emergency rooms for after hours care," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
"This legislation is aimed at making it easier to provide care to seniors who cannot easily travel to a doctor's office," she added. "Internet-based patient care has the potential to be an important tool in providing access for elderly and young patients alike," she said.
The bill (A1464) sponsored by Assemblywoman Jenne amended the public health law by expanding the definition of originating site to allow primary care providers to use telehealth to connect with and provide care to seniors. New York State Senator Sue Serino (R-Hyde Park) sponsored the legislation in the state Senate.
Assemblywoman Jenne said a second bill (A4703) that would allow telehealth services to be used at primary and secondary schools, child care programs and child care centers is awaiting the governor's signature.
"This legislation is important as we move forward with the community school model that sees our schools and child care centers providing our children with far more than educational services.
It allows children to access needed care from school, where they spend most of their time, through telehealth services, she noted.
Assemblywoman Jenne pointed to a study that suggested children with telehealth access from child care or elementary school make 22 percent fewer emergency department visits than closely matched
peers.
She said reimbursement issues have limited the use of telehealth services at schools and child care centers.
"When schools are unable to bill for these services, it often means the use of the service is not financially feasible. By adding schools to the list of originating sites, schools will have a greater ability to consider telehealth services when needed for their students," Assemblywoman Jenne said, noting she is optimistic Governor Cuomo will sign the legislation when it reaches his desk.