Health care coverage: fluoride treatments.
- Requires health plans to cover fluoride varnish treatments without cost sharing for children under 21 starting in 2026.
- Mandates coverage of fluoride treatments as a medical benefit when provided in primary care settings.
- Expands Medi-Cal coverage to include fluoride varnish treatments for eligible children under 21 years old.
- Establishes new billing policies for fluoride varnish application under the Medi-Cal program.
Assembly Member Bonta's fluoride treatment legislation mandates health insurance coverage for fluoride varnish applications in primary care settings for California children under age 21, eliminating cost barriers through new requirements taking effect in 2026.
The bill requires health care service plans and insurers to cover fluoride varnish treatments without imposing deductibles, copayments, coinsurance or other cost-sharing measures. These services must be billed as medical benefits rather than dental procedures. The legislation also expands Medi-Cal coverage to include fluoride varnish and other appropriate fluoride treatments for eligible children, with the Department of Health Care Services developing specific billing and reimbursement policies.
For implementation, the bill directs the Department of Health Care Services to establish protocols governing payment and reimbursement for fluoride varnish applications. Health plans must incorporate the new coverage requirements into contracts and policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2026. The legislation maintains existing federal obligations under the Affordable Care Act regarding preventive services while adding state-specific mandates for pediatric fluoride treatments.
The measure preserves current Medi-Cal dental benefits while expanding access through medical settings. Health care providers can continue offering covered fluoride treatments according to established clinical guidelines, with the new provisions focused on removing financial barriers through insurance coverage requirements rather than changing practice standards.
 Joaquin ArambulaD Assemblymember | Committee Member |  Not Contacted | |
 Buffy WicksD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Lisa CalderonD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Mia BontaD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Mike FongD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 0 | 2 | 16 | PASS |
- Requires health plans to cover fluoride varnish treatments without cost sharing for children under 21 starting in 2026.
- Mandates coverage of fluoride treatments as a medical benefit when provided in primary care settings.
- Expands Medi-Cal coverage to include fluoride varnish treatments for eligible children under 21 years old.
- Establishes new billing policies for fluoride varnish application under the Medi-Cal program.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Assembly Member Bonta's fluoride treatment legislation mandates health insurance coverage for fluoride varnish applications in primary care settings for California children under age 21, eliminating cost barriers through new requirements taking effect in 2026.
The bill requires health care service plans and insurers to cover fluoride varnish treatments without imposing deductibles, copayments, coinsurance or other cost-sharing measures. These services must be billed as medical benefits rather than dental procedures. The legislation also expands Medi-Cal coverage to include fluoride varnish and other appropriate fluoride treatments for eligible children, with the Department of Health Care Services developing specific billing and reimbursement policies.
For implementation, the bill directs the Department of Health Care Services to establish protocols governing payment and reimbursement for fluoride varnish applications. Health plans must incorporate the new coverage requirements into contracts and policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2026. The legislation maintains existing federal obligations under the Affordable Care Act regarding preventive services while adding state-specific mandates for pediatric fluoride treatments.
The measure preserves current Medi-Cal dental benefits while expanding access through medical settings. Health care providers can continue offering covered fluoride treatments according to established clinical guidelines, with the new provisions focused on removing financial barriers through insurance coverage requirements rather than changing practice standards.
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 0 | 2 | 16 | PASS |
Joaquin ArambulaD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Buffy WicksD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Lisa CalderonD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Mia BontaD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Mike FongD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted |