MA S834

Creates a Commission on Acupuncture and Wellness within the Department of Public Health, chaired by the Commissioner of Public Health, to study integrating acupuncture services into Massachusetts healthcare delivery with focus on pain management, substance abuse treatment, and wellness promotion

Mandates all individual and group health insurance policies, hospital service plans, medical service agreements, and HMO contracts cover acupuncture and oriental medicine diagnosis and treatment for pain management, PTSD, substance abuse treatment, and nausea

Requires the Group Insurance Commission to provide acupuncture coverage to active and retired state employees for the same four conditions

Prohibits third-party payers from differentiating reimbursement rates for acupuncture services by provider type, limiting reimbursement to licensed acupuncturists and medical doctors only

Commission must submit initial report 6 months after enactment and annually thereafter with findings and legislative recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and Joint Committee on Public Health