CA AB2164

Expands the definition of a federally qualified health center (FQHC) or rural health clinic (RHC) "visit" to include encounters using telehealth through synchronous interaction or asynchronous store and forward for reimbursement purposes.

Allows FQHCs and RHCs to establish new patients located within their federal designated service area through telehealth or store and forward methods, with requirements that asynchronous store and forward must involve a licensed health care provider employed by the facility who is physically present with the patient at the originating site.

Requires the California Department of Health Care Services to adopt formal regulations by July 1, 2022, and provide semiannual status reports to the Legislature until regulations are adopted.

Specifies that these telehealth provisions remain in effect until 180 days after the COVID-19 state of emergency is terminated by gubernatorial proclamation or legislative concurrent resolution.

Allows the department to implement telehealth policies through all-county letters and provider bulletins prior to formal regulatory adoption.