NYS Department of Health Highlights Victim Services Reimbursement Program
(December 22, 2025) The New York State Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with the Office of Victim Services (OVS), is reminding healthcare providers and facilities about the OVS reimbursement program for victims of crime. This program helps cover out-of-pocket, crime-related expenses, including short- and long-term medical and mental health care costs not covered by insurance.
Effective December 31, 2025, medical and mental health professionals will be able to verify that a patient has experienced a crime. This verification can be included in the patient’s application for reimbursement through OVS.
Providers may be asked to complete the OVS Crime Verification Form, which requires:
- Selecting the crime category that best matches the patient’s description.
- Providing a brief summary of events as reported by the patient.
- Signing the form to confirm accuracy to the best of their knowledge.
If unsure about the crime category, providers should select what seems most accurate based on available information. OVS will review and confirm or adjust the selection as needed.
Training Opportunity:
A training session on completing the Crime Verification Form will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Providers can register here. A recording and additional resources will be available on the OVS website here. For questions, contact OVSInfo@ovs.ny.gov. This initiative ensures victims of crime receive timely access to care and financial support, while empowering providers to play a critical role in the recovery process.
Contact: Carrie Mosley, cmosley@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 x. 147