Best Telehealth Clinics in California (2026)

California was one of the first states to codify telehealth practice standards. Business & Professions Code § 2290.5, the foundational statute, defines telehealth broadly and requires informed consent before any telehealth encounter. Audio-only and store-and-forward modalities are both authorized. AB 809 (2015) established the informed consent documentation requirement.

California does not require an in-person visit before a telehealth prescription, but BPC § 2242(a) requires an "appropriate prior examination" before prescribing dangerous drugs. Prescribing without one constitutes unprofessional conduct. BPC § 2242.1 adds a civil penalty of up to $25,000 per occurrence for internet prescribing without an appropriate exam. AB 1264, signed in 2019, clarified that this examination does not need to be synchronous. Self-screening tools and questionnaires can satisfy the requirement if the standard of care is met.

Testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance. Under the DEA extension through December 31, 2026, it can be prescribed via telehealth without a prior in-person evaluation. California Health & Safety Code § 11164(b)(1) allows electronic and oral prescriptions for Schedule III, IV, and V substances. Prescribers must check the CURES database (Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System, governed by Health & Safety Code § 11165) before every new controlled substance prescription and again at six months for ongoing patients. All controlled substance prescriptions must be electronic.

COVID-era expansions became permanent through AB 32, signed by Governor Newsom on September 25, 2022. The law codified Medi-Cal audio-only telehealth reimbursement and new patient relationship formation via telehealth under Welfare & Institutions Code § 14132.725. SB 184 (2022 Budget Act) added Medi-Cal payment parity provisions. Private payer reimbursement parity is governed by Health & Safety Code §§ 1374.13 through 1374.142 and Insurance Code §§ 10123.85 through 10123.857.

California is not a member of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). Physicians treating California patients must hold a California medical license issued by the Medical Board of California. With 44 states now in the IMLC, California remains one of the holdouts. This means telehealth providers need a separate CA license, which adds cost and onboarding time. The only exception is for an out-of-state physician treating a patient with an immediately life-threatening disease or condition.

California has the largest telehealth patient pool in the country at 39.5 million residents. Of the 64 providers tracked on ClinicLayer, roughly 55 are available in California. The state's size makes it a priority market for every major telehealth company, so most "Most US states" and "All 50 states" providers include CA.

One notable restriction: NAD+ peptide therapy faces additional scrutiny in California. The California Board of Pharmacy has flagged IV hydration and compounding clinics for noncompliance with sterile compounding standards. Providers like MYRNK and Enhance MD still list some California availability, but patients should confirm NAD+ access directly before signing up. This makes California one of the more restrictive states for peptide therapy specifically.

Feel30, which differentiates on at-home concierge blood draws, is not available in California for TRT. Their enclomiphene service covers all 50 states, but injectable TRT is excluded in CA and 15 other states. Enhance MD excludes 11 states including some overlap with California services. Limitless TRT & Aesthetics operates in "select states" and likely does not include CA.

For TRT, the main providers available in California include Maximus ($100/mo with labs, all 50 states), Hone Health ($25/mo entry tier, all 50 states), BraverX ($129/mo with labs), Titan Medical ($99/mo), DudeMeds ($77/mo), and PeterMD ($99/mo on annual). TRT Nation ($99/mo) serves 45 states and likely includes California. Defy Medical and Marek Health, the premium options, both serve "Most US states."

The GLP-1 category has the most availability. Embody, SkinnyRx, DirectMeds, Remedy Meds, Zealthy, GobyMeds, Sesame Care, Shed, MEDVi, Sunlight, and Mochi Health all serve California. Prices range from $99 to $399 per month. CareBare and Novi serve "Most US states."

All eight HRT providers on our list serve California, making it one of the best states for women seeking hormone replacement therapy. Midi Health, the only insurance-covered option, is available. PlushCare accepts insurance and has a $20/mo membership. Cash-pay options include Alloy ($49/mo), Evernow ($35/mo), and Winona ($99/mo). Every ED and hair loss provider also serves the state.

TRT in California ranges from $77/mo (DudeMeds, FDA-approved commercial testosterone, labs not included) to $200/mo (Defy Medical, all delivery methods, labs included). The true annual cost spread is roughly $1,124 to $2,800 depending on the provider and whether labs are included. Here is how the major providers break down:

DudeMeds: $77/mo + $200 labs = $1,124/year. Maximus: $100/mo with labs included = $1,300/year on annual plan. PeterMD: $99/mo with labs included on annual = $1,188/year (requires upfront annual payment). TRT Nation: $99/mo + $258 labs = $1,446/year. BraverX: $129/mo with labs = $1,548/year. Feel30 is $99/mo with labs included at $1,188/year, but does not serve CA for TRT. Titan Medical runs $99/mo but labs are $229 extra, totaling $1,417/year.

GLP-1 weight loss medication in California ranges from $99/mo (Embody, SkinnyRx, Zealthy) to $399/mo (TrimRx). The national average sits around $179/mo. Several California providers cluster at $99/mo for introductory pricing, though ongoing doses can cost more at some providers. GobyMeds at $119/mo is the cheapest compounded semaglutide with confirmed California availability. Remedy Meds is $179/mo ($59/mo first month with CT120 promo). MEDVi is $179/mo first month but jumps to $299/mo ongoing.

California does not impose a separate state tax on telehealth services. Prescription medications are exempt from California sales tax under Revenue and Taxation Code § 6369. However, Medi-Cal (the state Medicaid program) dropped coverage for weight-loss GLP-1s like Wegovy and Zepbound as of January 1, 2026. GLP-1s for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic, Mounjaro) remain covered. Members under 21 may still qualify for weight-loss GLP-1s through EPSDT requirements.

HRT is relatively affordable in California. Midi Health can bill insurance directly, making it zero-cost for many women with coverage. Cash-pay ranges from $20/mo (PlushCare membership) to $149/mo (Hone Premium), with Alloy at $49/mo, Evernow at $35/mo, and Winona at $99/mo as mid-range options. Gennev is $99/mo with an OB/GYN-led model.

For ED, Hims starts at $17/mo for generic sildenafil, the cheapest option nationally. BlueChew chewables are $20/mo. Ro is $23/mo. Keeps is $25/mo. MEDVi's quad formula (four ED ingredients in one) is $119/mo for a premium option. CareBare is $79/mo.

TRT (testosterone replacement therapy)

Testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance. California allows telehealth prescribing under the DEA extension through 2026 without a prior in-person visit. Prescribers must check CURES before every new prescription and again at six months for ongoing patients. Both compounded and FDA-approved commercial testosterone are available from California providers. BPC § 2242(a) requires an appropriate prior examination, but this can be satisfied through telehealth questionnaires and lab review per AB 1264. The standard of care applies equally to telehealth and in-person encounters. Delivery methods available in CA include subcutaneous injection, intramuscular injection, topical cream, oral testosterone, and enclomiphene (a non-controlled alternative).

GLP-1 weight loss

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are not controlled substances and have no Schedule restrictions in California. The main regulatory change affecting GLP-1 access is at the federal level: the FDA removed semaglutide from the drug shortage list in February 2025. After the enforcement grace period ended in April 2025 for 503A pharmacies and May 2025 for 503B outsourcing facilities, compounded semaglutide is only available for documented medical necessity (allergy to an inactive ingredient in the brand product, or a dose not commercially available). Most California providers have either transitioned to brand-name Wegovy/Rybelsus or adjusted their compounding justification documentation. Tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro/Zepbound) remained on the shortage list longer, so compounded tirzepatide may still be available.

HRT (hormone replacement therapy)

HRT follows standard federal prescribing rules in California. No additional state restrictions apply. Bioidentical compounded hormones are available through providers like Winona and Alloy. No controlled substance scheduling issues affect estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone prescribing for women. Medi-Cal covers some HRT under the pharmacy benefit.

Hair loss

Finasteride and dutasteride are prescription medications but not controlled substances. Hair loss treatment follows standard federal prescribing rules in California. No additional state restrictions apply. All major hair loss telehealth providers (Hims, Keeps, Ro, Happy Head, Strut Health, Nutrafol, Hers) serve the state. Prices range from $20/mo (Hims) to $88/mo (Nutrafol).

ED (erectile dysfunction)

Sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil are prescription medications but not controlled substances. ED treatment follows standard federal prescribing rules in California. No additional state restrictions apply. All seven ED providers on our list serve California.

Peptides

California has heightened scrutiny around compounded injectable peptides. The Board of Pharmacy has increased enforcement on sterile compounding pharmacies, particularly IV hydration and NAD+ clinics. BPC-157, sermorelin, and NAD+ are available from several providers, but patients should verify that the compounding pharmacy meets current USP 797 sterile compounding standards. NAD+ access may be more limited in California than in other states due to this enforcement posture. Providers with confirmed peptide availability in California include Maximus (all 50 states), Defy Medical ("Most US states"), and Marek Health ("Most US states"). MYRNK and Enhance MD serve "Most US states" but may have restrictions in CA.