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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate2025-04-30

Vote Breakdown

Plain Language Summary

This bill requires health insurance plans in North Carolina that cover transcranial magnetic stimulation (a noninvasive brain treatment for depression and mental disorders) to reimburse all properly licensed healthcare providers and facilities equally, without penalizing claims based on the provider's medical specialty. Insurers retain the right to decide whether to cover the treatment, which conditions it covers, coverage requirements, and reimbursement rates.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill removes barriers to mental health treatment by ensuring that qualified providers across different medical specialties—not just psychiatrists—can deliver transcranial magnetic stimulation and receive fair reimbursement.
• •They contend this expands access to an FDA-approved treatment for depression and other mental disorders, particularly in areas where psychiatric specialists may be unavailable, and prevents insurers from discriminating against certain provider types.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may argue that the bill could increase insurance costs by requiring broader reimbursement for a specialized treatment, or express concern that allowing non-psychiatric specialists to perform the procedure without specialty-based rate adjustments could compromise quality of care.
• •They may also contend that insurers should retain full discretion over reimbursement decisions to manage costs and ensure appropriate utilization of the treatment.