What changed
NYCE PPO launched on January 1, 2026, and former GHI-CBP members were automatically enrolled. For many, that meant landing on a new plan without choosing it — and learning how it works months later.
The biggest practical change for mental health is how behavioral health is administered. Under NYCE PPO, the medical side carries the EmblemHealth name on your card, but behavioral health — psychiatry and therapy — runs through the UnitedHealthcare Behavioral Health network. If you previously looked up providers under GHI-CBP or EmblemHealth, the place to look has changed.
- Behavioral health is administered through the UnitedHealthcare Behavioral Health network.
- No referral is required to see any in-network behavioral health provider.
- The behavioral health network in New York State expanded sharply — from roughly 12,000 to about 39,000 providers, according to published plan materials.
- Telepsychiatry with a participating provider is covered as an in-network benefit.
What stayed the same
Mental health care remains a covered benefit, and you can still see a psychiatrist or therapist without a referral. The core access pattern — find an in-network provider, pay a copay — is familiar; the main difference is which network and directory you use to find behavioral health providers.
What this means for booking psychiatry
Because the network is large and no referral is required, access to an in-network psychiatrist is more straightforward than under the old plan — once you know where to look. East Coast Telepsychiatry is in-network with NYCE PPO and provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management with a NY-licensed prescriber, with same-week appointments for new patients in nearly all cases.
Plan rules (sourced from published NYCE PPO materials): behavioral health runs through UnitedHealthcare; no referral required; network expanded to ~39,000 NY providers. Practice statement: East Coast Telepsychiatry is in-network and offers same-week access for new patients in nearly all cases.
If you are still figuring out your new plan
You are not alone — a large population moved onto NYCE PPO at once. If you are unsure which directory to use, what your copay is, or whether a specific provider is in-network, the fastest path is to complete our intake and let us verify your coverage. For authoritative plan details, contact the number on the back of your member ID card.
Frequently asked questions
Did NYCE PPO replace GHI-CBP?
Yes. NYCE PPO launched on January 1, 2026, and most former GHI-CBP members were automatically enrolled.
What changed for mental health under NYCE PPO?
Behavioral health now runs through the UnitedHealthcare Behavioral Health network, no referral is required, and the New York behavioral health network expanded to roughly 39,000 providers. Mental health remains a covered benefit.
Do I need a new referral under NYCE PPO?
No. NYCE PPO does not require a referral to see an in-network behavioral health provider, including a psychiatrist.
Related guides
Non-affiliation: East Coast Telepsychiatry is an independent telepsychiatry practice that participates in the NYCE PPO network. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NYCE PPO, EmblemHealth, UnitedHealthcare, or the City of New York. Plan names and network details are described for informational purposes only; official plan documents govern your benefits. For authoritative coverage details, contact the number on the back of your member ID card.