From the New York State Department of Health: “The world is currently experiencing a COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the response, a public health emergency has been declared. This declaration includes the expansion of availability of telehealth services for patients. Expanded telehealth may relieve the burden placed on providers due to the increased demand for healthcare while reducing the risk of disease transmission. To help facilitate and support this approach, NYS DOH is allowing informed, verbal, documented consent for telehealth visits in lieu of the current SHIN-NY written consent requirements per 10 NYCRR Part 300.”

Important: Verbal consent is NOT durable. This means that verbal consent must be obtained during each telehealth visit, if a patient has not previously provided written consent.