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H 4548

Sine Die Addition

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jordan Pace

Mandates insurance coverage for acupuncture and oriental medicine for pain, PTSD, substance use, and nausea, and creates a commission to study its health system integration.

Roll call Yeas-89 Nays-20
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Bill Summary · H 4548

Bill Summary — H 4548 (Sine Die Addition / An Act relative to the practice of acupuncture)

Summary

H 4548 is a hybrid filing that contains (1) substantive legislation titled “An Act relative to the practice of acupuncture” and (2) language of a concurrent resolution authorizing the General Court to consider certain matters after May 8, 2025 (notably bills relating to immigration) prior to sine die adjournment. The substantive act would create a state commission on acupuncture and wellness, mandate insurance coverage for specified acupuncture/oriental medicine services, and set rules for reimbursement and provider eligibility.

Main purpose and intent

  • Promote integration of acupuncture/oriental medicine into Massachusetts’ health care system for expanded access, cost reduction, and improved quality of care.
  • Require public and private insurers to cover acupuncture/oriental medicine–based diagnosis and treatment for specific clinical areas.
  • Establish a statewide commission to study implementation and recommend policy and legislative changes.

Key provisions

  • Establishes a Commission on Acupuncture and Wellness (Chapter 111, new Section 249). Composition includes: DPH commissioner (chair), commissioner of insurance, MassHealth director, board of registration in medicine director, chairs of the Joint Committee on Public Health (senate & house), representatives of statewide acupuncture organizations (licensed acupuncturists and medical acupuncturists), Massachusetts Public Health Association, and five governor appointees (including at least 2 licensed acupuncturists, a top-five MA insurer representative, a consumer organization member, and a practicing licensed physician).

    • Commission duties: study integration of acupuncture (focus on pain management, PTSD, substance use disorder treatment, and nausea), evaluate integration into alternative payment models (ACOs, workplace wellness, chapter 224 entities), and consider reimbursement strategies.
    • Reporting: initial report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Joint Committee on Public Health six months after the act’s effective date and annually thereafter, with findings and recommended legislation.

  • Insurance coverage mandates (amendments across Chapters 175, 176A, 176B, 176G, and Chapter 32A):

    • Require that blanket/general policies, accident/sickness policies, employer health and welfare funds, individual/group hospital service plans, medical service agreements, group HMO contracts, and Group Insurance Commission (state employee) coverage include benefits for acupuncture and oriental medicine–based diagnosis and treatment for pain management, PTSD, substance abuse treatment, and nausea.

  • Reimbursement/provider rules:

    • Prohibits third-party payors from differentiating reimbursement rates for acupuncture services by provider type.
    • Limits reimbursement for acupuncture services to licensed acupuncturists or medical doctors.

Who is affected

  • Patients insured in Massachusetts (private insurance, employer plans, HMOs, Group Insurance Commission beneficiaries) seeking acupuncture for the enumerated conditions.
  • Licensed acupuncturists and medical doctors who provide acupuncture (affects reimbursement eligibility and rate parity).
  • Insurers and third‑party payors (obligated to cover specified services and adhere to reimbursement rules).
  • State agencies (DPH, Division of Insurance, MassHealth) and stakeholders named to the commission.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced: May 8, 2025; committed to Committee on Rules (same day).
  • Roll call on May 8, 2025: Yeas 89 — Nays 20.
  • Reported from Committee on Financial Services and filed as a new draft of H1148: September 29, 2025; reported favorably and referred to committee on Health Care Financing.
  • Commission reporting requirement: first report due 6 months after the act’s effective date; annual reports thereafter.
  • The concurrent resolution portion explicitly permits consideration of immigration-related bills and disposition of conference reports and vetoes after May 8, 2025 and prior to sine die adjournment.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Increased access to acupuncture for the specified conditions could expand nonpharmacologic treatment options (notably for pain and SUD-related care).
  • Insurers may see cost and utilization effects; mandated coverage could increase short‑term claims for acupuncture services.
  • The reimbursement provisions narrow eligible providers to L.Ac. and MDs while prohibiting rate discrimination by provider type — this may affect other clinicians who practice dry-needling or related techniques.
  • The commission’s studies and recommendations could shape integration into alternative payment models and future legislation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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