AB-1949 • 2026

Medi-Cal: acupuncture treatments.

Healthcare

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Lee
Last action: 2026-04-20
Official status: Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specific details on exceptions to utilization controls or the exact conditions under which additional visits may be authorized.

Medi-Cal Acupuncture Coverage

This law requires Medi-Cal to cover up to 24 acupuncture visits each year for people who qualify, with additional visits allowed based on medical necessity.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Medi-Cal program to cover up to 24 acupuncture visits per beneficiary per calendar year.
States that these treatments are not subject to utilization controls except as specified.
Allows additional acupuncture visits beyond the 24 if authorized by a doctor based on medical necessity.

Who It Names or Affects

People who get health care through Medi-Cal
Doctors and acupuncturists who treat Medi-Cal patients

Terms To Know

Medi-Cal: A government program that helps low-income people pay for medical care.
Utilization controls: Rules about how often a person can use certain health services.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if federal matching funds are not available.
It's unclear how many people will need additional visits beyond the initial 24 per year.

Bill History

2026-04-20 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 1.) (April 14).
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
2026-02-14 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 16.
2026-02-13 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1949, as amended, Lee.
Medi-Cal: acupuncture treatments.
Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including pharmacy services and drugs. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid Program provisions. Existing law sets forth a schedule of benefits covered under the Medi-Cal program, including acupuncture, but only to the extent federal matching funds are provided for acupuncture.
This bill would require the Medi-Cal program to cover up to 24 acupuncture visits per beneficiary per calendar year and would state that
the benefit is not subject to utilization controls, except as specified.
additional visits per calendar year may be authorized based on medical necessity.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF