A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to provide fair reimbursement of transcranial magnetic stimulation services under health benefit plans offered in this state.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  Article 3 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 58‑3‑254.  Coverage of transcranial magnetic stimulation.
(a)	The following definitions apply in this section:
(1)	Reserved for future codification purposes.
(2)	Insurer. – As defined in G.S. 58‑3‑167.
(3)	Reserved for future codification purposes.
(4)	Transcranial magnetic stimulation. – A noninvasive healthcare treatment that uses pulsed magnetic fields to induce an electric current in a localized region of a patient's brain.
(b)	Insurers offering a health benefit plan in this State that provides coverage for transcranial magnetic stimulation shall provide coverage for transcranial magnetic stimulation procedures performed by any properly licensed healthcare provider or healthcare facility and may not penalize any properly licensed healthcare provider or healthcare facility that properly submits a claim for services related to transcranial magnetic stimulation based on the medical specialty of the healthcare provider or healthcare facility submitting the claim.
(c)	Penalties prohibited under this section include the denial of, or the reduction of, or the placement of limitations on the reimbursement of a properly submitted claim, or any other negative treatment of a properly submitted claim."
SECTION 1.(b)  G.S. 135‑48.51 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(8a)	G.S. 58‑3‑224, Coverage of transcranial magnetic stimulation."
SECTION 1.(c)  This section is effective October 1, 2024, and applies to insurance contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after that date.
SECTION 2.  Effective July 1, 2024, there is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of State Treasurer the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) in recurring funds for the 2024‑2025 fiscal year to ensure compliance with Section 1(b) of this act by the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees.
SECTION 3.  Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.