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COVID-19 Updates, Alerts, and ResourcesNYCPS is committed to keeping you informed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please check this page for ongoing updates and developments. January 18, 2022 Sign Up to Receive 4 Free COVID Tests January 18, 2022Free COVID-19 Tests Shipped to Your Home Sign up here to have 4 free COVID-19 tests shipped to your home. Tests are rapid antigen at-home tests and are completely free of charge. Every household in the U.S. is eligible. Orders are shipped by USPS and ship in 7-10 days. January 8, 2021COVID-19 Vaccine in NYC- Information & Resources NYC is currently in Phase 1A for vaccine distribution, which means the vaccine is being provided to: healthcare providers and staff with direct patient contact, emergency responders, staff at COVID-19 testing and vaccination locations, home health aides, and long-term care staff and residents, among others, including psychiatrists. Learn more about who is currently eligible for vaccination or to check your own eligibility, click here. Steps to Get the Vaccine for NYC Psychiatrists 1. Make an appointment. For psychiatrists in private practice or those not affiliated with a hospital network or urgent care center, you must schedule an appointment with one of the distribution sites to get the vaccine. Click here for locations. 2. Complete the NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Form. Click here complete the form or click here to download a pdf of instructions. NYS requires the provider administering the vaccine to check that you completed the form. 3. Gather documentation. You will need to bring proof of employment, such as an employee ID card, a letter from your employer or affiliated organization, or a recent pay stub. For the most up-to-date information on the COVID-19 vaccine including locations for distribution, eligibility, and current data, please visit the NYC Department of Health's information page on the vaccine here. You can also view the NYC Vaccine Command Center to follow the phases for distribution. If you have questions, call the New York State COVID-19 hotline at 888-364-3065. September 1, 2020APA Message & COVID Guidance & Resource Documents Global pandemics, such as COVID-19, and other disasters cause extreme disruption to the lives of patients, healthcare workers, and the general public. These events are threats to physical and mental health, economic stability, and other aspects of well-being. Various populations are disproportionately affected as a result of underlying disparities, the direct impact of the event, factors at work during recovery, as well as the intersectionality of all these variables. Caring for our patients, our families, and ourselves requires knowing what to do as well as some things to avoid doing. Brief and actionable resources that address the concerns of today as well as help us plan for emerging challenges in the weeks and months ahead can be invaluable during a crisis.
More information including fact sheets, presentations, and other resources to assist your clinical practice can be found at the APA's COVID-19 Information Hub. August 12, 2020APA's Telehealth Advocacy During COVID-19 June 25, 2020APA Coronavirus Information HubThe APA COVID-19 Information Hub is available as a resource and includes recently added materials such as the following:
April 22, 2020PsychSummit: COVID-19 April 9, 2020Guidance From APA on Deployment of Psychiatrists, Trainees During COVID-19 Crisis March 30, 2020APA and NABH Webinar: How to Address COVID 19 Across Inpatient, Residential and other Non-Ambulatory Care Settings March 26, 2020APA Warns Against Recent COVID-19 Scams For example, it was recently brought to the attention of the Massachusetts Board of Medicine that Massachusetts licensees have been receiving scam calls from individuals posing as investigators of the Massachusetts Board of Medicine of the DEA. The caller will falsely state that their license is in jeopardy or has been suspended. They may ask for additional information including NPI, DEA registration number, financial information, and may claim the call is being recorded on a secure line. Please note that the scam calls may show up as the Board of Medicine’s main number. Physicians from other states received similar scam calls from individuals purporting to be FBI and DEA. Please see link to DEA webpage which includes information on reporting the online threat: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm Additionally, the FTC has provided some tips to avoid coronavirus scams including recorded scam calls on “fake tests for medicare recipients” and “free test kit scam.” Please take a moment to review this information at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing A link to this information, along with other resources for psychiatrists, families, and health care and community leaders, can be found on the APA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Hub: www.psychiatry.org/coronavirus. March 25, 2020New York State Emotional Support Hotline is Currently Active March 21, 2020Update from NYSPA: NYS Governor Seeking Volunteers for COVID-19 Mental Health Hotline To volunteer, professionals are asked to complete a survey by clicking here: https://apps.health.ny.gov/pubpal/builder/survey/retired-health-professional. Although the online form refers to medical treatment of individuals with Coronavirus, the Governor indicated in his press conference that they are also seeking counseling services for individuals who may be experiencing anxiety and fear. Please note: Members should indicate on the form that they are available for telephone and telehealth counseling services, not face-to-face services. For more information about how to get involved, visit the NYS DOH website here: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/get-involved-how-you-can-help March 17, 2020APA has provided information on restrictions related to telehealth. Please click here to view the update. March 16, 2020American Psychiatric Association Updates Due to COVID-19 preparedness measures evolving daily, as of Monday, March 16th, APA Administration will be teleworking. Please note that staff will continue to work remotely and maintain access to email and online databases with office phones forwarding calls directly to staff. The following COVID-19 updates have recently been communicated by APA: March 13, 2020New York State Psychiatric Association Update In addition, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 202.1 declaring a State disaster emergency and relaxing state requirements for the provision of telemedicine, as follows: New York State will also be liberalizing rules and requirements for the provision of telemedicine services to Medicaid beneficiaries. Further guidance is expected shortly. At this time, with respect to commercial insurance carrier and private pay treatment, there is no restriction on the provision of telemedicine in private homes. As many members are aware, several years ago, New York State enacted legislation requiring health insurers to provide coverage and reimbursement for services provided via telemedicine where the service is otherwise covered under a health insurance policy. Please keep in mind that telemedicine services must be provided using HIPAA-compliant software that provides two-way, real-time interactive communication. Approved telemedicine services are considered face-to-face and may be billed using the same CPT codes customarily used for in-person psychiatric services. We have been advised that private practitioners (not those working in Article 28 or Article 31 settings) should indicate the provision of services via telemedicine by using place of service code 02. NYSPA will provide additional updates as more information is made available. March 12, 2020New York County Psychiatric Society Events & Meetings New York State Office of Mental Health Guidance Emergency Federal Bill Additional ResourcesNew York City New York State Federal Click here for the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) Diversion Control Division to keep up to date on alerts and scams. Other Helpful Resources Please email us at [email protected] with any questions or concerns. Thank you and please stay safe! |