Telemedicine in California
Timeline of California Legislation
- 1996
- The Telemedicine Development Act of 1996 (SB 1665) imposed several requirements governing the delivery of health care services through telemedicine, as defined including various requirements in regard to the provision of, or payment for, telemedicine services.
- 1997
- SB 922 amended the Telemedicine Development Act of 1996 to exclude from the definition of telemedicine, telephone conversations and electronic mail messages between a health care practitioner, as defined, and a patient.
- 2003
- AB 116 included that the provisions of law regulating telemedicine apply to the practice of a dentist, a podiatrist, a psychologist, a marriage and family therapist, and a clinical social worker.
- 2005
- AB 354 until January 1, 2009, authorizes under the Medi-Cal program, to the extent that federal financial participation is available, “teleophthalmology and teledermatology by store and forward,” as defined.
- 2006
- Executive Order S-12-06 allocated $240 million to achieve full information exchange between health care providers and stakeholders within ten years.
- Executive Order S-23-06 established a broadband task force to promote broadband access and usage.
- 2007
- AB 329 authorizes the Medical Board of California to establish a pilot program to expand the practice of telemedicine, and would authorize the board to implement the program by convening a working group. The bill would specify that the purpose of the pilot program would be to develop methods, using a telemedicine model, of delivering health care to those with chronic diseases and delivering other health information.
- AB 1224 defines the practice of optometry as including the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma with the participation, as specified, of a collaborating ophthalmologist. Makes a licensed optometrist subject to “interactive” telemedicine provisions and would define collaborating ophthalmologist for purposes of his or her participation in treating primary open angle glaucoma.
- AB 234 imposes a 125-hour limitation on experience earned providing personal psychotherapy services via telemedicine, as defined, and would modify the definition of professional enrichment activities for these purposes.
- Executive Order S-06-07 advances the adoption of health information technology, increases transparency of quality and pricing information, and promotes quality and efficiency of health care services.
- 2008
- AB 2120 extends authorization of the Medi-Cal program, to the extent that federal financial participation is available, “teleophthalmology and teledermatology by store and forward,” as defined until January 1, 2013.
Current Initiatives
- Proposition 1D
- University of California has been allotted $200 million through Proposition 1D which was approved by California voters in November 2006. These funds will provide for infrastructure to expand medical school enrollment and build and enhance telemedicine statewide. Following approval of the measure, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stated “With Proposition 1D funds we will eventually be able to connect our best hospitals and our best medical schools with clinics in remote areas all over the state of California.”
- Federal Communications Commission Grant
- The largest success is the award of a $22 million grant from the Federal Communications Commission to fund the expansion of broadband services to over 300 rural telemedicine sites in California, including 81 rural hospitals. In addition, up to $8.6 million in financial commitments have been offered by the California Emerging Technology Fund and United Health Group Inc to help support the implementation of this project. The telehealth network will be used to improve access to care in underserved communities, as well as to provide a resource for emergency services and disaster preparedness.
- The California Telehealth Network (CTN) will connect hundreds of rural and underserved providers to a state- and nation-wide broadband network dedicated to healthcare.
- CTEC
- CTEC's Telehealth Optimization Initiative is a collaborative of programs, payers and providers brought together to develop reimbursement and other policy incentives to support full implementation of telehealth.
CTEC's Investment in Telehealth
CTEC has a long history of leadership in telehealth. CTEC produced the first strategic plan for California's telemedicine adoption and CTEC was instrumental in initiating efforts to expand broadband availability throughout rural California.
CTEC funded the development of California's two Telemedicine Learning Centers at UC Davis and UC San Diego, and aided in the development of new and innovative telemedicine programs for medical specialty services, behavioral health, school dental screenings, diabetic retinopathy screenings, patient education programs, breast cancer support group services, continuing medical education, provider site development and on-line telemedicine training. This support has assisted in the development of 10 rural telemedicine networks, with over 100 sites throughout California.