Telepsychiatry New York OIG Report
Telepsychiatry in New York, NY Special Fraud Alert From NYC, Manhattan
In my telepsychiatry New York practice in Manhattan NYC, a large portion of my services is delivered remotely by HIPPA-compliant telemedicine platforms. This modality is convenient for both the patient and the clinician, minimizing the need for travel. Telepsychiatry and telemedicine services have been increasing in popularity since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. People have been going back for in-office treatment for psychiatric and substance use and addiction services. But, a large portion of clinicians still delivers services primarily by HIPPA-compliant video and other Telepsychiatry platforms.
However, there has been a significant increase in fraud amongst some firms delivering telemedicine services. It’s unfortunate that bad actors are making it problematic for everyone else. The situation has become so troubling, that the federal government Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has put out a special fraud alert to both practitioners delivering Telepsychiatry New York services. This is to warn prospective patients of the dangers of using some of these firms.
The report was released on July 20, 2022. It is titled “Special Fraud Alert: OIG Alerts Practitioners To Exercise Caution When Entering Into Arrangements With Purported Telemedicine Companies”
In this blog post, I am going to discuss some of the highlights of this report. By doing so that you can make an educated decision when looking for a Telepsychiatry NYC, Manhattan provider. The OIG states:
“The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has conducted dozens of investigations of fraud schemes involving companies that purported to provide telehealth, telemedicine, or telemarketing services (collectively, Telemedicine Companies) and exploited the growing acceptance and use of telehealth. For example, in some of these fraud schemes Telemedicine Companies intentionally paid physicians and nonphysician practitioners (collectively, Practitioners) kickbacks to generate orders or prescriptions for medically unnecessary…prescription medications, resulting in submissions of fraudulent claims to…health care programs.”
This essentially means that these companies are:
- Overly focused on their bottom line finances
- Engaging in fraudulent activities
- Putting clinicians working for these firms at high risk of malpractice, civil and criminal risk
- Also putting patients at a high risk of being delivered substandard care
This is just absolutely unacceptable. Please note, that the telepsychiatry in New York, NY delivered by Stephen Gilman, MD Addiction Psychiatrist NYC, Manhattan is not currently and has never been, delivered through any telehealth outside firm. All services delivered by Dr. Gilman are delivered by himself via HIPPA-compliant video and modalities.
Here are other characteristics of suspected fraudulent firms offering telepsychiatry in New York, NY, as per the OIG.
“The purported patients for whom the Practitioner orders or prescribes items or services were identified or recruited by the Telemedicine Company, telemarketing company, sales agent, recruiter, call center, health fair, and/or through the internet, television, or social media advertising for free or low out-of-pocket cost items or services.”
“The Practitioner does not have sufficient contact with or information from the purported patient to meaningfully assess the medical necessity of the items or services ordered or prescribed.”
“The Telemedicine Company compensates the Practitioner based on the volume of items or services ordered or prescribed, which may be characterized to the Practitioner as compensation based on the number of purported medical records that the Practitioner reviewed.”
Now, the OIG does not give the opinion that telepsychiatry services as a whole should be avoided. In fact, they embrace the convenience and efficacy of this modality when being done by honest, ethical clinicians. The OIG report concludes with the following:
“This Special Fraud Alert is not intended to discourage legitimate telehealth arrangements. For example, OIG is aware that many Practitioners have appropriately used telehealth services during the current public health emergency to provide medically necessary care to their patients. However, OIG encourages Practitioners to use heightened scrutiny, exercise caution, and consider the above list of suspect criteria prior to entering into arrangements with Telemedicine Companies.”
Begin Teletherapy in New York, NY
You deserve to receive quality care from the comfort and support of your home. I would be happy to offer peace of mind around finding the right online psychiatrist in New York, NY. I offer both in-person and online services from my NYC, Manhattan-based therapy practice. To start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:
- Contact Stephen Gilman, MD
- Learn more about me and my approach to treatment
- Start healing from the comfort of home.
Other Services Offered with Stephen Gilman, MD – Addiction Psychiatrist in NYC, Manhattan
As an online psychiatrist in New York, NY, I offer a variety of services in person and online for a wide variety of clients. I’m happy to offer general psychiatry and many forms of addiction treatment. Mental health services offered include young adult psychiatry, adult psychiatry, opioid addiction treatment, and alcohol addiction treatment. I’m also happy to offer prescription drug addiction treatment, cocaine addiction, and meth addiction treatment, behavioral addiction treatment, PTSD treatment, drug addiction treatment, and marijuana addiction treatment. Learn more about me or visit my blog for more helpful info.
