Blog

By: Lydia Kotowski, JD, MHA, California Telehealth Resource Center Chronic disease remains one of the most persistent and costly challenges facing rural healthcare systems. In communities where long travel times, provider shortages, and economic barriers hinder timely access to care, rural hospitals are often left to manage complex, ongoing health conditions with limited resources. ButRead more

Authored By: Sylvia Trujillo, CTRC Executive Director Our State continues to see an unprecedented surge in natural disasters, from devastating wildfires in Los Angeles to extreme heat in the Central Valley to earthquakes. These catastrophic events don’t just leave physical destruction in their wake – they create a growing mental health crisis that our traditionalRead more

Telehealth is important for providing medical care during an emergency, such as a pandemic or natural disaster. Providers can use telehealth to perform quick assessments, triage patients, and deliver patient care. Integrating telehealth into emergency preparedness plans is essential. This best practice guide from Telehealth.HHS.Gov provides detailed information and resources on using telehealth for emergencyRead more

Authored by Sylvia Trujillo The American Relief Act of 2025: Keeping Telehealth Medicare Coverage and other Flexibilities on the Table — for Now Over the weekend, the President signed the American Relief Act of 2025, a significant piece of legislation aimed at continuing essential healthcare programs and extending telehealth flexibilities for Medicare beneficiaries through MarchRead more

CLICK TO VIEW Fact Sheet Overview & Resources Introduction Reliable and affordable internet access is essential for consumers and patients who need to access digital health resources. This fact sheet provides an overview to help consumers understand broadband internet and its role in digital health, addressing common questions such as: What is broadband? What isRead more

CLICK TO VIEW This checklist provides a set of questions for a health care provider to ask AI tool developers/vendors. By thoroughly evaluating the responses, healthcare providers can make informed decisions about acquiring and implementing AI tools that align with their clinical and operational needs while ensuring ethical, fair, and secure use.Read more

This checklist from the California Telehealth Resource Center (CTRC) supports healthcare providers in delivering effective and secure two-way interactive audio/video telehealth services. It guides providers through crucial steps, including verifying clinical appropriateness, obtaining required consents, and ensuring patients have adequate technology and a private setting. It also covers provider conduct, preparation for potential technology issues,Read more

This comprehensive checklist from the California Telehealth Resource Center (CTRC) helps providers determine when audio-only telehealth is clinically appropriate and feasible for patients. It covers essential considerations such as clinical suitability, technology limitations, and necessary consent for Medi-Cal and Medicare patients. Additionally, the checklist ensures patient preparedness, privacy, and establishes an emergency communication plan. DesignedRead more

Authored By: Crystal Baker, MPH Student Crystal is an MPH student at Youngstown State University. She has experience working with various non-profit organizations, focusing on community health, advocacy, and program coordination. Her work often involves addressing social determinants of health and fostering collaboration to support health equity and access. As part of her capstone withRead more

With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, California’s healthcare system is adopting new technologies to safeguard at-risk populations. Tools such as Remote Physiological Monitoring provide continuous health data, while secure texting platforms enable immediate patient outreach. Together, these solutions help providers deliver real-time assistance and vital information during heat waves and air quality alerts. ByRead more