This bill mandates the inclusion of ear acupuncture as a treatment for substance misuse in the state Medicaid plan. Specifically, it introduces a new section, RSA 167:3-n, which states that medical assistance under the Medicaid plan shall cover ear acupuncture, particularly during detox and throughout treatment for opioid addiction and other substance misuse. The Department of Health and Human Services is tasked with submitting any necessary amendments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by January 1, 2026, to facilitate this coverage.

The fiscal impact of the bill is projected to result in expenditures between $1 million and $5 million annually, as it does not provide additional funding or authorize new positions. The Department of Health and Human Services estimates that if approximately half of the 9,635 Medicaid recipients diagnosed with substance use disorder utilize the benefit for 20 visits at an average cost of $93 per visit, the total annual expenditure could reach nearly $8.96 million. The funding for these services would be sourced from a combination of federal and state funds, with the overall impact on state funds expected to fall within the specified range.