Telehealth expands the capacity of the health care system and gives Californians greater access to care. Overwhelmingly, Californians praise telehealth for its convenience and its ability to build connection and trust between patients and their providers.
California has made significant progress in expanding telehealth’s availability. Policy changes have allowed patients to receive telehealth services at home or in other locations of their choice and have made payment for telehealth equivalent to payment for in-person services. Health systems have invested in technologies and operational changes that enable telehealth to be delivered effectively. However, work remains to be done. Disparities in telehealth use show that California’s digital divide persists; for example, older adults and people with limited English proficiency are less likely to engage in telehealth.
To maximize telehealth’s impact, we have developed four issue briefs outlining recommendations for policymakers, health plans, health system leaders and safety-net providers and researchers. These recommendations are based on a review of literature on California’s telehealth evolution as well as interviews with 27 experts.
- Advancing Access to Telehealth in California: Recommendations for Policymakers
- Advancing Access to Telehealth in California: Recommendations for Health System Leaders and Safety-Net Providers
- Advancing Access to Telehealth in California: Recommendations for Health Plans
- Advancing Access to Telehealth in California: Recommendations for Researchers
