On February 20th, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) announced a series of reforms to improve the delivery of health care. These reforms were based on recommendations made in the first phase of the State’s Regulatory Modernization Initiative (RMI), which convened six workgroups in 2017 to examine the current regulatory landscape, identify barriers to care, and streamline policies, regulations, and statutes.
The workgroups were: Integrated Primary Care and Behavioral Health; Telehealth; Post-Acute Care Management; Cardiac Services; Off-Campus Emergency Departments; and Long Term Care Need Methodologies and Innovative Models. The State has listed a series of next steps to implement some of these proposed reforms, which are summarized in the attached document. Some reforms have already been included in guidance or regulations promulgated by relevant State agencies, while others are included in the Governor’s FY 2018-19 Executive Budget proposal and its accompanying legislation. Where available, this document lists whether implementation has already started, and the source of implementation authority or mechanisms. The complete report contains additional workgroup recommendations that have not been identified for implementation, and is available here.