Out-of-state physicians and surgeons: telehealth: license exemption.

Senator Valladares' telehealth legislation expands access to out-of-state physicians for California patients whose life-threatening conditions have entered remission. The measure modifies existing law that permits out-of-state doctors to provide telehealth services to patients with immediately life-threatening diseases who cannot access nearby clinical trials.

Under the proposed changes, patients in remission could continue receiving care from their established out-of-state physicians via telehealth without meeting clinical trial requirements. The bill maintains existing patient protections, including the need for written informed consent and documentation from a California-licensed primary physician confirming eligibility. Out-of-state providers must hold an active medical license in good standing and possess expertise in treating the patient's condition.

The legislation preserves current oversight mechanisms through the Medical Board of California while creating a pathway for ongoing doctor-patient relationships to continue remotely across state lines once a patient's condition stabilizes. This builds upon California's existing framework for telehealth delivery by out-of-state physicians, which requires coordination between the patient's local and remote care providers through medical record sharing and eligibility verification.