Publications

This Executive Summary provides a description of the experiences of safety-net providers who applied for support under the Specialty Care Safety Net initiative to launch or expand their telehealth services. Additionally, it provides a series of recommendations for the safety-net providers who may be considering the addition of telehealth as part of their services.

This report is a comprehensive scan of telehealth laws and regulations in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report is a summary guide of the most recent information available about how the states define, govern and regulate the use of “telehealth” or “telemedicine” technologies in the delivery of health care services.

A Webinar PowerPoint presentation by CCHP and the California Telemedicine and e-Health Center on the Telehealth Advancement Act of 2011 (AB 415), which was presented as part of the California Telehealth Network's Webinar Series.

The Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) and the California Telemedicine and eHealth Center have issued a joint issue brief on the impacts of Telehealth Advancement Act of 2011 (AB 415).  The brief, "The Telehealth Advancement Act of 2011:  Opportunities for Innovation in California," provides details on the key components of this landmark legislation.

This issue brief explores use of tele-dermatology in Medi-Cal, reasons for unexpectedly slow adoption of store & forward telehealth services in Medi-Cal among dermatologists, and makes policy recommendations to increase uptake and use of the technology.

This report, prepared for CCHP, examined potential cost savings from AB 415, and estimated savings of more than $1.3 billion a year to Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program.  These savings would come from disease management programs for patients with heart failure and diabetes, and which employ electronic home monitoring systems.

The report also indicated potential savings from other telehealth services, but found a lack of consensus among researchers on cost savings overall from those services.

This is a Journal of the American Medical Association media release on a demonstration project that tested clinical and financial benefits of tele-ICU technologies.

This is the FAQ document for Advancing California’s Leadership in Telehealth Policy:  A Telehealth Model Statute & Other Policy Recommendations.

CCHP has released a telehealth model statute report for California that recommends modernizing state telemedicine and workforce laws, to encourage more robust adoption of telehealth technologies.

This is the case studies document for Advancing California’s Leadership in Telehealth Policy:  A Telehealth Model Statute & Other Policy Recommendations.  This is a telehealth model statute report for California that recommends modernizing state telemedicine and workforce laws, to encourage more robust adoption of telehealth technologies.

This is the executive summary of the CCHP telehealth model statute for California.  It recommends modernizing state telemedicine and workforce laws, to encourage more robust adoption of telehealth technologies.

CCHP has released a telehealth model statute for California that recommends modernizing state telemedicine and workforce laws, to encourage more robust adoption of telehealth technologies.

 The report identifies policies that will promote greater use of telehealth technologies, to maximize their benefit to all Californians. CCHP developed this model statute report for state policy makers, to help remove barriers to the use of telehealth as an integral part of California’s health care system.  It provides California with a platform for the ideal policy environment in telehealth.  

For 26 years, Peter Van Houten, M.D., has been serving patients in the rural Northern California environs of Nevada City and surrounding communities.  The Sierra Family Medical Clinic, where he practices and serves as CEO and medical director, joins the Specialty Care Safety Net Initiative (SCSNI), a telehealth demonstration project that connects safety net clinics statewide with specialists at the five UC Schools of Medicine.

Van Houten, who has been using telemedicine services since 2000, is optimistic that the SCSNI project will continue to enhance care for his patients.

Miles Masatsugu, M.D., F.A.A.F.P., is medical director of East Valley Community Health Center in West Covina, a new member of the Specialty Care Safety Net Initiative, CCHP's telehealth demonstration project.  Masatsugu is excited by East Valley’s participation in SCSNI, both for the improved access to specialists and because it will help him in his research to develop financially viable telehealth networks for the urban uninsured.

A July 23, 2010 comment letter to CMS on its proposed telehealth credentialing rule. The letter was signed by CCHP, the California Association of Rural Health Clinics,California Rural Indian Health Board, and California State Rural Health Association.

Joyce White, RN, knows firsthand the value of telehealth technologies.  She is Oroville Hospital’s project coordinator for the Specialty Care Safety Net Initiative (SCSNI), a new telehealth demonstration project that connects safety net clinics statewide with specialists at four University of California Schools of Medicine.  White is also Site Coordinator and Nurse Case Manager for the hospital's telemedicine program, which provides specialty services in 9 critical areas.

The Telemedicine Development Act of 1996 established California as a national leader in the field of telehealth. This progress report says the law needs to be modernized, to boost telemedicine use and help California health policy keep pace with advances in technology.

Progress Report Summary: The Telemedicine Development Act of 1996 established California as a national leader in the field of telehealth. This progress report says the law needs to be modernized, to boost telemedicine use and help California health policy keep pace with advances in technology.

This is a CCHP background report on CMS accreditation policy for telehealth practitioners.  The report was produced by Health Management Associates.

Connecting California: The Impact of the Stimulus Package on Broadband and Telehealth Expansion." This issue brief describes broadband and telehealth provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), and makes recommendations on how California can take maximum advantage of ARRA funding opportunities.