The 2021-22 Budget: Analysis of the Governor’s Medi-Cal Telehealth Proposal

May 13, 2021 - The concept of covering telehealth services at the same payment rate as health care services provided in ‑person is known as “payment parity. ” A number of states have in place telehealth payment parity policies.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4430

The 2026-27 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis

Mar 2, 2026 - The  administration ’s stated rationale is to “maintain parity ” across the nonelderly, childless adults who are receiving full ‑scope Medi ‑Cal benefits. At  the same time, the administration has stated that verifying compliance for UIS adults using existing income data sources may be more challenging and that it would rely on information provided by the individual when available data are insufficient.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5146

The 2021-22 Spending Plan: Health

Oct 22, 2021 - (For example, for the duration of the national public health emergency, Medi-Cal is reimbursing telehealth services provided through telephone at parity with services provided in person.) The spending plan temporarily extends these telehealth flexibilities through December 2022.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4465