Healthcare (Telehealth)

died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 974: Behavior Analysis Reforms.

This bill establishes a new professional category called "registered behavior technician" to support the practice of behavior analysis in North Carolina. Under the new rules, these technicians must work under the supervision of a licensed professional, with at least 10% of their work involving direct observation and direction from that supervisor. The legislation also sets specific limits on practice, requiring new technicians to complete 80 hours of supervised service before seeing patients one-on-one and restricting telehealth services to areas with low population density. Additionally, the bill prohibits licensed behavior analysts from seeing minors for more than 16 hours in a single week unless a parent or guardian is present. To implement these changes, the bill provides $50,000 in funding for the state board to create the necessary regulations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a new professional category to expand access to behavior analysis services and establishes licensing standards to protect public health.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 838: The Frontline Mental Health Support Act.

This bill creates the Frontline Mental Health Support Program in North Carolina to offer confidential counseling to public school teachers and first responders who face occupational stress. Eligible employees, including law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel, can access up to 12 licensed therapy sessions per year through in-person or telehealth options. The legislation appropriates $13 million in recurring funds starting in 2026-2027 to establish the program and expand the behavioral health workforce via grants to providers. It also mandates that participation cannot be used as grounds for any adverse employment actions and requires a report on the program's implementation by 2028.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds mental health support for law enforcement, reducing occupational stress and promoting officer well-being.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $13M to provide mental health counseling for teachers, directly supporting educator well-being and retention.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates $13M to fund mental health counseling for teachers and first responders, expanding access to care.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds mental health counseling for workers, expanding benefits and protecting employee well-being.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 2, 2025

HB 658: Optometrists Telehealth Services.

HB 658 allows licensed optometrists in North Carolina to provide telehealth services (remote video consultations) to patients within the state, without requiring the optometrist to be physically present in North Carolina or hold a license in the state where they are located during the consultation. This directly affects optometrists licensed in North Carolina who wish to offer remote care to NC patients. The bill specifies that telehealth practice must follow all existing optometry laws and Board rules, and the North Carolina Board of Examiners in Optometry must create implementing rules by December 2025 covering patient records, diagnoses, and telehealth standards. The law takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables telehealth for optometrists, improving patient access to eye care services without physical presence requirements, aligning with healthcare access improvement indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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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 · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 379: Senior Care Assurance Act.

SB 379, the Senior Care Assurance Act, expands healthcare access for North Carolina seniors (65+) by enhancing Medicaid coverage for preventive screenings and chronic care services. It creates two new programs: a $2.5 million annual grant program to fund free health screenings and geriatric care for low-income seniors (at or below the federal poverty level), prioritizing rural and underserved areas, and a $2 million annual program to help seniors purchase telehealth equipment and internet access, with priority for rural seniors. The bill also updates telehealth infrastructure funding to support rural healthcare providers in establishing telehealth services. These provisions directly benefit seniors facing financial or geographic barriers to care, focusing on preventive health and independent aging.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage, funds free screenings/telehealth access, and prioritizes low-income seniors' healthcare needs, directly advancing access and funding for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates $2M annually to help seniors purchase telehealth equipment and internet access, directly expanding tech access for healthcare95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid Telehealth Broadband Access

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 523: Universal Basic Therapy Act.

SB 523 establishes a pilot voucher program to expand mental health access for low-income North Carolinians. It allocates $25 million (from state, general, and federal funds) to provide up to 10 free annual therapy visits per year to residents earning under 250% of the federal poverty level, with priority for veterans, uninsured individuals, young adults (18-26), teachers, and law enforcement. The program will operate in five selected counties starting July 2025, covering therapy, psychiatric care, and telehealth services through certified providers. An independent commission will evaluate outcomes - including patient satisfaction and reduced hospitalizations - and recommend statewide expansion if the pilot proves effective within five years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $25 million for mental health services, increasing public spending on essential health programs through budget appropriations.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $25M for free mental health therapy visits to low-income residents, prioritizing vulnerable groups and expanding access to mental health services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly prioritizes veterans for mental health therapy access, expanding veteran healthcare services through targeted funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Telehealth Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 17, 2025

SB 287: Safeguard Health Ins. Utilization Reviews.

SB 287 prohibits health insurers from using artificial intelligence algorithms as the sole basis to deny, delay, or modify healthcare services based on medical necessity. The bill requires that only licensed and qualified healthcare providers make these determinations, and insurers must verify that third-party contractors (like pharmacy benefits managers) comply with this rule. It directly affects health insurers, pharmacy benefits managers, and the North Carolina State Health Plan for teachers and state employees, which must review its contracts and practices for compliance. The law takes effect 30 days after enactment and focuses on ensuring human medical judgment remains central to coverage decisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from using AI as sole basis to deny services, mandates licensed providers' oversight to protect patient rights and access to care.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits insurers from using AI algorithms as sole basis for healthcare decisions, directly restricting AI application in health insurance sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs Telehealth Artificial Intelligence

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passed · North Carolina · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 369: Medicaid Telehealth Services.

SB 369 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 and offering services exclusively through telemedicine, do not need a physical presence in the state to be eligible for Medicaid enrollment. Additionally, medical provider groups that exclusively offer telemedicine services will not be required to have an in-state service address to enroll as Medicaid provider groups. This measure directly affects telehealth providers and Medicaid recipients by clarifying requirements for remote healthcare services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves physical presence requirement for telehealth providers to enroll in Medicaid, expanding patient access to telemedicine services under public health program.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRemoves physical presence barriers for telehealth providers, enabling tech-based healthcare access under Medicaid, aligning with emerging technologies subject.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Telehealth

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signed · North Carolina · House Jul 7, 2025

HB 546: Medicaid Modernization.

HB 546 modernizes North Carolina's Medicaid program by requiring the state to develop team-based care coordination for individuals with alcohol and opioid use disorders, including screening, medication, and recovery support. The bill also allows telehealth-only providers to enroll in Medicaid without needing a physical office in the state and mandates a statewide specialty plan for children in foster care or receiving adoption assistance, to be implemented by December 2025. These changes directly affect Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorders, telehealth providers, and eligible children and families. The Department of Health and Human Services must report on the implementation of the substance use care and telehealth provisions by October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for substance use treatment via team-based care, enables telehealth provider enrollment, and mandates specialty health plans for foster children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Substance Abuse Telehealth