California Acupuncture

4-29-09, Sacramento, CA: Due to budget cuts, the State of California will eliminate acupuncture as a benefit from the Medi-Cal system as of July 1, 2009.  The California State Medical Association (CSMOA) now lobbies for restoration of acupuncture benefits in the Medi-Cal system.  The Medi-Cal system was known for limiting acupuncture visits to 2 patient visits per month per patient and reimbursing at a rate of only $16.22 per visit for follow-up office visits.  Initial examination office visits were limited to reimbursement rate of $27.03 per visit.  The majority of acupuncturists in California were not able to use this program due to its unusually low reimbursement rates.