Healthcare (Medicaid)

passed both · North Carolina · House May 12, 2026

HB 390: Medicaid Prepaid Health Plan Practices.

House Bill 390, titled "Alleviate the Dangers of Surgical Smoke," establishes new standards for surgical smoke evacuation in North Carolina. This bill requires all licensed hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities to adopt and implement policies mandating the use of a smoke evacuation/filtering system during surgical procedures likely to generate surgical smoke. A smoke evacuation/filtering system is defined as equipment that captures, filters, and eliminates surgical smoke at its origin. The Department of Health and Human Services is authorized to take adverse action against facilities that violate these new requirements. This act is scheduled to become effective on January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates smoke evacuation systems in hospitals to protect staff/patients from surgical smoke dangers, enhancing healthcare safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 448: Remove Employment Barriers/Ppl w Disabilities.

SB 448 removes two key barriers to Medicaid eligibility for North Carolina workers with disabilities under the "Health Coverage for Workers with Disabilities" program. It eliminates the federal limits on unearned income (like Social Security benefits) and countable assets (savings) that previously disqualified people from maintaining Medicaid coverage while working. The bill requires the state to seek federal CMS approval within 90 days to remove these limits, with implementation effective after CMS approval (targeting a July 2025 effective date). This change directly affects individuals with disabilities who currently face penalties for saving money or receiving certain benefits while enrolled in Medicaid, allowing them to retain healthcare coverage without losing eligibility due to income or asset thresholds. The state will provide $165,000 annually in funding for implementation starting July 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves Medicaid eligibility barriers for disabled workers, expanding health insurance access without restricting coverage. Directly enhances Medicaid program access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves Medicaid barriers for disabled workers, enabling employment without loss of health coverage, directly supporting labor rights and employment access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Tags People with Disabilities

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 509: Health Information Exchange Act Revisions.

SB 509 revises North Carolina's Statewide Health Information Exchange Act to require certain health care providers serving Medicaid and other state-funded health care programs to connect to the statewide health information exchange network (HIE Network). It overrides the previous voluntary nature of the HIE Network by mandating participation for covered entities providing state-funded care, aiming to improve care coordination and reduce costs through secure electronic sharing of patient data. The bill also adds new civil penalties for violations and introduces a state health data assessment fee. These changes directly affect health care providers, health plans, and facilities receiving state health care funds, with the goal of enhancing data sharing for quality improvement and cost management.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid providers to connect to HIE Network for improved care coordination and cost reduction, strengthening healthcare infrastructure and data sharing.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates secure electronic data sharing via HIE network, enhancing cybersecurity and data privacy protocols for healthcare IT systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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passed both · North Carolina · House May 12, 2026

HB 727: Limit Medicaid Reimb. for Facility Fees.

HB 727 modifies the licensure process for marriage and family therapists and therapy associates in North Carolina. It streamlines the process for professionals licensed in other states to obtain a North Carolina license through reciprocity, making it mandatory for qualified applicants. The bill adjusts experience requirements and expands acceptable examination options to include California's clinical examination. Additionally, it clarifies that all applicants, including those applying via reciprocity, must undergo criminal history record checks. These changes aim to facilitate licensing for out-of-state therapists while maintaining regulatory oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines licensure for mental health professionals, improving access to therapy services by reducing barriers for out-of-state therapists and expanding exam options.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medical Licensing

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passed both · North Carolina · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 565: Limit Use of AI Medicaid/Commercial Insurance.

HB 565 ("Check Yes, Save Lives") allows North Carolina taxpayers to register as organ donors by checking a box on their state income tax return, starting with tax returns for 2026 and later. This directly affects all North Carolina taxpayers who file income tax returns, providing a simple, automatic way to enroll in the organ donation program during annual tax filing. The bill amends tax and organ donation statutes to add income tax return enrollment as a valid method for making an anatomical gift (under Section 130A-412.7(1a)), while keeping existing options like driver's license or wills. It requires coordination between the Department of Revenue and Motor Vehicles to update the Organ Donor Registry, ensuring the tax-based enrollment is properly recorded. The policy change streamlines donor registration without altering the existing organ donation process or eligibility.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSimplifies organ donor registration via tax forms, increasing donation rates and supporting public health initiatives in organ availability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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signed · North Carolina · Senate Jun 26, 2025

SB 344: Pooled Trust Transfers/Public Benefits Elig.

SB 344 ensures that North Carolina seniors aged 65+ who transfer funds into qualifying pooled special needs trusts (meeting federal standards) won't lose Medicaid or State-County Special Assistance eligibility. The bill requires the state health department to update eligibility rules so these transfers are treated as "fair market value" transactions - meaning the funds aren't counted against benefit eligibility if the trust uses the money to provide goods/services equal to the transfer value within the senior's life expectancy. It directly affects seniors using these trusts to manage assets while maintaining public benefits. The law amends state rules to align with federal guidelines (42 U.S.C. § 1396p(d)(4)(C)) and takes effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents loss of Medicaid eligibility for seniors using qualifying trusts, protecting access to healthcare benefits without restricting coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 555: Medicaid Telehealth Services.

HB 555, "Medicaid Telehealth Services," aims to ensure that certain telehealth providers can enroll as Medicaid providers in North Carolina. The bill specifies that individual health care providers licensed by the state who offer services exclusively through telemedicine are not required to maintain a physical presence in the state to be eligible for Medicaid enrollment. Similarly, medical provider groups that exclusively offer telemedicine services will not need an in-state service address to be eligible for the state's Medicaid program. This bill directly affects telehealth providers and medical groups by removing location-based requirements for participating in Medicaid.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables telehealth providers to enroll in Medicaid without physical presence, expanding access to healthcare services for patients in underserved areas.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRemoves physical presence barrier for telehealth providers, enabling technology-based healthcare services without restrictions. Subjects include telemedicine and emerging technologies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Telehealth

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in committee · North Carolina · House Feb 27, 2025

HB 229: Medicaid Rates/Ambulatory Surgical Centers.

HB 229 adjusts North Carolina's Medicaid reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), requiring payments to be at least 95% of the current Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Centers fee schedule. This change directly affects ASCs by increasing their Medicaid payments, with the state appropriating $10.476 million annually from the General Fund to cover the cost and match $19.135 million in federal funds each year for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. The bill mandates these rate adjustments to take effect on July 1, 2025, ensuring ASCs receive consistent reimbursement aligned with Medicare rates. The legislation focuses solely on establishing the new payment structure and funding mechanism, without altering eligibility or services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $10.476M annually from General Fund to increase Medicaid payments for ASCs, directly funding public health services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid reimbursement rates for ASCs to 95% of Medicare rates, appropriating $10.476M annually to fund higher payments, strengthening provider access to Medicaid services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing State Budget Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · North Carolina · House Feb 6, 2025

HB 60: Modernize Medicaid Dental Rates.

HB 60 increases Medicaid dental reimbursement rates from 35% to 46% of average dentist charges (2023 rates) to align with neighboring states. The bill allocates $52 million annually from North Carolina's General Fund, matched by $95 million in federal funds, to cover this rate increase starting July 1, 2025. It directly affects dentists who accept Medicaid patients and Medicaid beneficiaries seeking dental care, aiming to boost provider participation and prevent costly emergency treatments. The change addresses years of stagnant rates that reduced dental provider enrollment in Medicaid.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $52M annually from NC's General Fund to increase Medicaid dental rates, directly addressing budgeting/appropriations per bill subjects.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid dental reimbursement rates (35% to 46%) to improve provider participation and patient access, funded by $52M state + $95M federal.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Medicaid

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in committee · North Carolina · House Feb 17, 2025

HB 128: Establish Prostate Cancer Control Program.

HB 128 appropriates $2 million annually for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to create a statewide prostate cancer screening program administered by North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services. The program provides free or low-cost screenings and follow-up care to uninsured or underinsured men aged 50-70 (40-70 with family history of prostate cancer) who meet income requirements (below 250% of federal poverty level). Eligibility requires no Medicare Part B or Medicaid coverage and specific age/family history criteria as defined in the bill. The program begins July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $2M annually for public health program via state budget, directly funding essential services per budgeting subject.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates $2M annually for free/low-cost prostate cancer screenings to uninsured/underinsured men, expanding access to preventive care and funding public health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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