Support for the use of non-pharmacological therapies for pain management

In August 2022, Assembly Bill No. 2585 was approved by the governor of California. The purpose of the bill is to promote the use of non-pharmacological therapies for the treatment of chronic pain with the goal of reducing opioid utilization. The bill was created based on the recommendations of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force. The Task Force’s investigation showed that there is evidence to support a multimodal and patient centered approach to pain management that includes FDA-approved restorative, interventional, behavioral, complementary, and integrative treatments.  

Our health plan recognizes the lack of rigorous investigation to definitively support specific interventions for chronic pain that will lead to reduced opioid utilization. However, we do encourage and cover the use of some medically necessary non-pharmacologic treatments, which may augment pain management and, in turn, decrease the need for opioids. 

The following covered benefits for Medi-Cal Managed Care members include but are not limited to:

• Acupuncture.
• Chiropractic services.
• Physical therapy.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). 
• Interventional pain management.

Please refer to the clinical guidelines on our provider website here.