MedicaidCoverageHigh impact
Changes to Children’s Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) – Telehealth Respite Services
EmblemHealth·NY · Pediatrics·Provider News
Effective date
Jan 1, 2023
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
Effective January 1, 2023, EmblemHealth ended COVID-19 telehealth flexibility for Children's HCBS respite services. All respite services must now be delivered in-person only, with telehealth and telephonic delivery no longer billable.
Action Required
Immediately: Stop billing for any telehealth or telephonic respite services for Children's HCBS members. Billing team must ensure all respite service claims are based on in-person interactions only. Update billing system to flag telehealth respite claims for rejection. Verify all respite services comply with 14-day annual limit and document EmblemHealth authorization in member records.