In March 2021, the Department of Health Care Services awarded a Youth Opioid Response (YOR) 2 grant to Marin County Probation Department to create a more equitable and holistic culture of health for Marin County Youth. BluePath Health has been working to manage this project by expanding referrals and navigation of services for youth experiencing opioid use disorder (OUD) and stimulant use disorder (StUD).
On October 13th, Governor Newsom signed six telehealth-related bills that will impact telehealth expansion throughout California. Among the signed bills is A.B. 744, which requires telehealth payment parity for commercial payers by January 1, 2021. Newsom also signed A.B. 1264, which allows providers to use telehealth to conduct examinations prior to prescribing, dispensing or furnishing drugs so long as the examination meets the standard of care. This strengthens the legal foundation needed to ensure the growth of telehealth to provide t right care at the right time in the right place.
This week’s Round Up highlights seven telehealth-related bills that have made their way from the California state legislature to Governor Newsom’s desk where they are awaiting his signature or veto by October 13th.
In addition to establishing payment parity for telehealth, these bills establish and extend telehealth’s use and reimbursement. For example, if signed by the Governor, one bill will reimburse telehealth for delivering healthcare in emergency situations and another will allow its use for prescribing medications.
August 30th CA Senate Appropriations hearing will be crucial to moving telehealth-related bills forward.
HHS Office of Inspector General to audit behavioral health in Medicaid managed care.
Presidential candidates touting rural telehealth and broadband for expanded health care.
DHCS releases revised Medi-Cal Telehealth Provider Manual, which includes coverage of e-consults.
California bills focused on telehealth coverage face a hearing in Senate Appropriations on August 12th for analysis of their fiscal impact.
CMS plans to expand Medicare telehealth benefits and increase health information exchange support.
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