The pandemic has transformed telehealth from a promising approach to improving access to health care to a familiar tool for a wide range of Californians. Changes in norms, funding, and provider acceptance prompted by the public health emergency have expanded access to telehealth among low-income and undocumented Californians.
Statewide use of telemedicine jumped dramatically Among low-income Californians who became eligible for Medi-Cal in March 2020, telehealth visits began being reimbursed at the same rate as in-person visits. We found similar trends in community health centers (CHCs) in California that serve Medi-Cal and undocumented patients (primary care clinics that serve all visitors).
Telemedicine has the potential to reduce barriers to health care for undocumented immigrants. For our upcoming report, we interviewed experts in Los Angeles County, which has the state’s largest immigrant population and a significant proportion of undocumented people. These professionals experienced concerns that telemedicine could expose them to transportation issues, difficulty scheduling visits between jobs, and immigration enforcement. I believe that this will help patients who may be suffering. Even if a CHC is a safe place, undocumented immigrants may be wary of in-person treatment.
However, telemedicine can still be a challenge for those who are new to technology or lack English proficiency. And while this was not the most prominent concern in Los Angeles County, persistent digital disparities in access to broadband connectivity and devices in California can also pose a barrier to telehealth use.
To understand telehealth utilization in this population, we compared medical visits of undocumented patients and Medi-Cal counterparts within the same CHC. Specifically, we compared the likelihood that a visit occurred via telehealth from January 2018 to November 2022. Our analysis found similar rates of telehealth for undocumented and Medi-Cal patients across states. However, in Los Angeles County, illegal aliens are taller than Visits are more likely to be conducted via telehealth, especially if you are 26 years of age or older.
California Plan to continue Many policies established during the public health emergency have expanded the availability of Medi-Cal-covered benefits and services through telehealth.And telemedicine will continue to be an important resource for undocumented patients After Medi-Cal expansion In January 2024, all residents will be eligible, regardless of age or immigration status. However, challenges lie ahead, especially in addressing challenges. Language barrier It is common among immigrants and increases their technological literacy. PPIC’s upcoming report on the health and health care utilization of illegal immigrants in California will address these opportunities and challenges.
