Does Blue Shield of California Cover Acupuncture?
This guide explains whether California Physicians’ Service (Blue Shield of California) covers acupuncture, including plan types, visit limits, and network requirements.
Blue Shield of California does not cover acupuncture universally across all plans. Coverage depends on whether the plan includes an acupuncture and chiropractic rider, often administered through American Specialty Health (ASH).
Is Acupuncture Covered by Blue Shield of California?
- HMO / HMO-POS plans: Many include acupuncture through ASH with a combined annual visit limit.
- Employer group plans: May include a chiropractic/acupuncture rider.
- PPO / Individual plans: Some include acupuncture, others list it as not covered.
- Discount programs: ChooseHealthy offers discounts, not insurance coverage.
ASH-Administered Benefits
- Medical necessity review by ASH
- Often 20–30 combined visits per year
- Fixed copay per visit
- ASH participating providers required
ChooseHealthy Discounts
ChooseHealthy provides discounted acupuncture services but is not insurance and does not count toward deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Blue Shield of California cover acupuncture?
Some plans do, often through ASH. Others do not. Coverage depends on your specific plan.
Is the ChooseHealthy program the same as coverage?
No. It is a discount program, not insurance.