CaliforniaMedi-Cal would cover fluoride treatment for children under 21
Children under 21 on Medi-Cal would have fluoride treatment coverage, while qualifying private plans would cover medically necessary varnish without cost sharing starting in 2027.
What it does
Medi-Cal would cover fluoride treatment for beneficiaries under 21. The state would also set billing rules allowing trained, supervised workers to apply fluoride varnish in any setting, if federal conditions are met.
Qualifying health plans and insurers would cover medically necessary fluoride varnish without deductibles or copays, whether billed as dental or medical care. This applies only when the plan already covers varnish as pediatric oral care.
Argument forChildren under 21 on Medi-Cal could get fluoride treatments in more settings, which may make preventive dental care easier to reach.
Argument againstFamilies with covered private plans could still face out-of-pocket costs if the coverage rule would require the state to pay and no funding is approved.
More detail
Medi-Cal would cover fluoride treatment for children under 21. This applies to Medi-Cal beneficiaries younger than 21, including children and young people under age 21. The treatment must be defined by the department and remains subject to utilization controls. Broader use of fluoride varnish by trained, supervised health or public health workers depends on federal funding and any required federal approvals. The Department of Health Care Services must issue billing guidance and make needed updates by July 1, 2027.
Certain health plans and insurers would cover medically necessary fluoride varnish without cost sharing. This covers qualifying health care service plans and health insurance policies, but not specialized plans, Medicare supplements, or Medi-Cal managed care contracts. The rule applies only to plans or policies that already provide pediatric oral care coverage for fluoride varnish; specialized plans and Medicare supplement coverage are excluded. If the rule requires the state to pay costs for an individual, it stops applying unless the Legislature appropriates money for that purpose. The rule applies to contracts and policies issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 27Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 500, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 27Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 3Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 26Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 6625.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 350 Bonta Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB350 Bonta et al. By Rubio. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 26In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Aug 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 24Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 20Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- May 14Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 13Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- May 13Ordered to second reading.Minor
- May 13From inactive file.
- 2025
- Sep 10Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Rubio.
- Sep 8Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Sep 5Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 29Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 29From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).Minor
- Aug 18In committee: Referred to suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jul 7Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Major
- Jul 3From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (July 2).Major
- Jul 2
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 11Referred to Com. on HEALTH.Minor
- Jun 3In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 350 Bonta Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 2Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 75. Noes 1. Page 1927.)Passed Assembly
- May 27Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 23Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- May 23From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (May 23).Major
- May 23Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Ayes 51. Noes 16. Page 1644.)
- May 7In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 28Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 24Read second time and amended.Major
- Apr 23From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 22).Major
- Apr 22
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 18Referred to Com. on HEALTH.Minor
- Jan 30From printer. May be heard in committee March 1.
- Jan 29Read first time. To print.Introduced
HealthcareGovernment & EthicsDisability Rights