Governor Extends Telehealth Services Expansion

This week, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-16-21 to extend the provisions of a prior executive order that facilitates telehealth services by enabling medical providers to conduct routine and non-emergency medical appointments through telehealth without the risk of being penalized. The order extends the relaxation of certain state privacy and security laws for medical providers which were set to expire on September 30.

The order issued this week extends specified telehealth flexibility provisions through the end of the state of emergency or until the order is rescinded or modified. The expanded protections for providers are similar to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights waiver regarding federal privacy and security laws.