According to a Feb. 26 news release from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, the new regulations will require insurers to be able to provide an in-network behavioral health appointment within 10 days of a request or within seven days for members discharged from the hospital.
If insurers are unable to meet these standards in-network, they must allow members to see an out-of-network provider at in-network rates.
Here are three things to note:
- The new regulations will also require insurers to update their provider directories to include provider affiliations with facilities and any restrictions on a behavioral health provider’s scope of practice.
- Insurers must submit an annual report to the state, including data and monitoring of their mental health network.
- The new regulations apply to commercial and Medicaid-managed care insurers in New York and take effect July 1.
