NYers Can Access Telehealth during Pandemic at No Cost - & Time is Now; AARP Urges NYS to Expand Remote Care Permanently

AARP Surveys Show Few NYers Knew of or Used Telehealth Pre-Pandemic, Now Most Americans Want to; Time is NOW to Provide Health Care Remotely

ALBANY, N.Y.— During the COVID-19 pandemic, New York State has made telehealth a free and accessible option for healthcare, and while AARP applauds Governor Andrew Cuomo for the emergency order, the association is citing survey data in urging the State to expand remote health care permanently.

Telehealth could be the lifeline New Yorkers need to access healthcare, especially as experts warn of a potential second wave of the coronavirus.

As recently as last fall, a vast majority of New Yorkers 50 and over were either unfamiliar with telehealth or had never used it, according to an AARP statewide survey – while a more recent national AARP survey shows most older Americans now want the option of telehealth.

The Cuomo administration issued an emergency directive on March 15, 2020  requiring insurance companies to waive deductibles, copayments and coinsurance for in-network health visits whether related to COVID-19 or not. Under the order, more New Yorkers can receive medical attention from their homes rather than having to visit a hospital or health care provider’s office, thereby reducing strain on the health care system and helping prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

The Governor also issued an order to Medicaid to reimburse appropriate uses of telehealth.

“AARP applauds the state for waiving patient costs for telehealth in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, but expanding and encouraging the use of telehealth should be permanent,” said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. “Telehealth can and should regularly help older New Yorkers, especially those who have difficulty traveling or affording the cost to travel to health care appointments or are vulnerable around other people. We urge New Yorkers to inquire about the possibility of telehealth to help them now, and we call upon our elected leaders to help New Yorkers permanently receive health care remotely where possible.”

An AARP New York statewide survey conducted late in the fall of 2019 found 46% of New Yorkers 50-plus were “not familiar at all” with telehealth—and of those who were, 81% had not used telehealth for themselves or a loved one under their care. A March 2020 national AARP survey of Americans 50 + shows 56% are now interested in using telehealth (7% saying they are “extremely” interested, 18% “very” interested and 31% “somewhat” interested).

Therefore, AARP New York urges the state to ensure adequate outreach and educational resources are made available to New Yorkers on the benefits of telehealth, especially the 50+, in addition to calling on the Governor and state lawmakers to expand the authorized use of telehealth on a permanent basis.

Given the growing national interest in using telehealth, and AARP New York’s keen understanding that 1 in 5 New Yorkers 50+ had never used telehealth before the pandemic, AARP New York is uniquely positioned to help get the word out that telehealth is now a viable and free way to receive critical healthcare. We will do this by engaging with our members and the public on social media and communicating directly to members via email. An article on the increased use of telehealth in New York State appeared in the summer edition of the AARP Bulletin, sent to approximately 2.5 million AARP members across the state.

AARP is also urging the State to educate New Yorkers on the benefits of telehealth.

AARP New York first recommended expanding telehealth over two years ago as part of a comprehensive report launching “Disrupting Racial & Ethnic Disparities,” an ongoing, multi-year initiative in collaboration with the Asian American Federation, Hispanic Federation, NAACP of New York and New York Urban League.

“The State of New York should encourage development and use of culturally appropriate electronic applications for smart phones and telehealth, including use of health and wellness applications and electronic consultations, by removing legislative and administrative barriers to the use of these technologies,” stated the top recommendation in the report’s Health section.

Since the Report’s release in January 2018, the State responded by expanding the use of telehealth under Medicaid, the government health care program for the poor and disabled, by allowing Medicaid recipients to receive telehealth services in a wider range of settings - including their own homes. But there is room for more expansion both under Medicaid and for New Yorkers with private insurance. AARP New York encourages those interested in accessing telehealth to communicate with your healthcare providers to ensure access to critical healthcare without placing yourself or your loved ones at risk of exposure to Covid-19.

The state survey of 1,000 residents 50 and older carries a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.1%; the national survey’s overall results carry a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.5%.

Contact: Erik Kriss, ekriss@aarp.org 

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About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

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