Assigned to COM & APPROP FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1606
AHCCCS; acupuncture services
Purpose
Requires Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) contractors to
provide medically necessary acupuncture services.
Background
AHCCCS contracts with health professionals to provide medically necessary health and
medical services to eligible members. Currently, AHCCCS contractors are required to provide:
1) inpatient and outpatient hospital services, excluding speech therapy; 2) laboratory and X-ray
services; 3) prescription medications; 4) medical supplies, durable medical equipment, insulin
pumps and prosthetic devices; 5) treatment of medical conditions of the eye; 6) early and periodic
health screening and diagnostic services; 7) family planning services; 8) podiatry services;
9) nonexperimental transplants; 10) emergency dental care; 11) ambulance and nonambulance
transportation; 12) hospice care; 13) orthotics; and 14) diabetes outpatient self-management
training services (A.R.S. ยง 36-2907).
If there is a cost associated with providing acupuncture services through AHCCCS, there
may be a fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires AHCCCS contractors to provide, subject to approval by the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services, medically necessary acupuncture services that are performed by an
acupuncturist who is licensed by the State Acupuncture Board of Examiners and ordered by a
primary care physician or primary care practitioner pursuant to the rules adopted by AHCCCS.
2. Requires AHCCCS to determine the number of medically necessary acupuncture service visits
a primary care physician or primary care practitioner may order.
3. Makes technical changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 13, 2023
JT/sr