Medi-Cal: acupuncture.

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Medi-Cal Acupuncture Coverage

This law removes the requirement that federal funding must match for acupuncture to be covered by Medi-Cal, making it a full benefit under the program.

What This Bill Does

• Removes the need for federal matching funds for acupuncture coverage in Medi-Cal.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who receive Medi-Cal benefits
• State Department of Health Care Services

Terms To Know

Medi-Cal

A health care program for low-income Californians, funded partly by the federal government.

Federal matching funds

Money provided by the federal government to help pay for state programs like Medi-Cal.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how much it will cost or where the extra money for acupuncture coverage will come from.
• It is unclear if and when this law will be signed into effect by the governor.

Official Summary Text

SB 944, as introduced, Wiener.
Medi-Cal: acupuncture.
Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is in part governed by, and funded pursuant to, 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 remove the limitation requiring federal matching funds for acupuncture to be a covered benefit, thereby making acupuncture a covered benefit under Medi-Cal.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF