What is The California Telehealth Network?

The California Telehealth Network (CTN) is playing a foundational role in improving California’s health care delivery system. CTN is creating the high speed telecommunications infrastructure and service availability that will support the creation of a fully integrated healthcare delivery systems within California.

CTN is a non-profit agency established to create a robust broadband network dedicated to healthcare to support improved access to healthcare through the interconnection of hospitals, clinics, physicians, health departments, schools and others.

CTN’s mission is to promote advanced information technologies and services to improve access to high quality healthcare focusing on medically underserved and rural Californians.

The creation of CTN began in 2007 when a coalition of healthcare, technology and governmental agencies collaborated to request funding from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the expansion of broadband throughout California’s rural and underserved areas. The FCC Rural Health Care Pilot Project (RHCPP) awarded $22.1 million to California for the installation of broadband services and the development of a medical grade telecommunications network. The FCC RHCPP grant, originally submitted by and awarded to the University of California Office of the President, has been completely transferred to CTN.

Additional funding has been provided by the California Emerging Technology Fund, the California HealthCare Foundation, the California Teleconnect Fund, the National Coalition for Health Integration, United HealthCare and the University of California.

CTN is California’s leading agency focusing on increasing access to healthcare through innovative use of technology which includes telehealth, telemedicine and health information exchange.