Bill > AB32

This bill would make several changes related to telehealth services provided under the Medi-Cal program: This bill would authorize the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to allow federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics (RHCs) to establish new patient relationships using audio-only synchronous interactions in certain circumstances, such as when the visit is related to sensitive services or when the patient requests an audio-only modality or does not have access to video. The bill would also require FQHCs and RHCs providing services via audio-only synchronous interaction to also offer those same services via video synchronous interaction, with some exceptions, to preserve beneficiary choice. The bill would allow DHCS to consider broadband access when providing exceptions to this requirement. Additionally, the bill would authorize DHCS to allow other Medi-Cal providers to establish new patient relationships using audio-only synchronous interactions in certain circumstances, similar to the provisions for FQHCs and RHCs. The bill would also make other changes related to telehealth coverage and reimbursement under Medi-Cal, including requiring providers to communicate certain information to beneficiaries about their rights and the use of telehealth.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB32