AN ACT to ADJUST medicaid rates PAID to ambulatory surgical centers.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Benefits, shall amend the Medicaid State Plan to set and adjust rates for all services provided by licensed ambulatory surgical centers so that these services are reimbursed at a rate of at least ninety‑five percent (95%) of the Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Centers fee schedule in effect as of January 1 of each year, as published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The initial rate adjustments shall be effective on the effective date approved by CMS for the State Plan amendment.

SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Benefits, the sum of ten million four hundred seventy‑six thousand dollars ($10,476,000) in recurring funds for each year of the 2025‑2027 fiscal biennium to be used to implement the changes required under this act. These funds shall provide a State match for nineteen million one hundred thirty‑five thousand dollars ($19,135,000) in recurring federal funds for each year of the 2025‑2027 fiscal biennium, and those funds are appropriated to the Division of Health Benefits for this same purpose.

SECTION 3.  This act is effective July 1, 2025.