GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 379
Short Title: Senior Care Assurance Act. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Theodros and Smith (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate
March 24, 2025
*S379 -v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT ENHANCING AND EXPANDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, HIGH-QUALITY 2
HEALTHCARE FOR SENIO R CITIZENS THROUGH IMPROVED CHRONIC CARE 3
MANAGEMENT, PREVENTI VE SERVICES, AND HOM E-BASED CARE; AND 4
APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THESE PURPOSES. 5
Whereas, North Carolina's senior population is increasing, necessitating enhanced 6
healthcare services and infrastructure to support their well-being and independence; and 7
Whereas, the North Carolina Constitution empowers the General Assembly to 8
promote public health and welfare, including the care of senior citizens; and 9
Whereas, expanded preventive healthcare, telehealth services, and home-based care 10
can improve seniors' quality of life, reduce long-term medical costs, and support independent 11
aging; Now, therefore, 12
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 13
14
PART I. TITLE 15
SECTION 1.1. This act shall be known as "The Senior Care Assurance Act." 16
17
PART II. DEFINITIONS 18
SECTION 2.1. The following definitions apply in this act: 19
(1) Division of Aging. – The Department of Health and Human Services, Division 20
of Aging. 21
(2) Senior citizen. – An individual 65 years of age or older who resides in North 22
Carolina. 23
24
PART III. EXPANDED PREVENTIVE AND CHRONI C DISEASE MANAGEMENT 25
COVERAGE 26
27
EXPANSION OF MEDICAID COVERAGE 28
SECTION 3.1. The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health 29
Benefits, shall ensure the Medicaid program covers preventive screenings and chronic disease 30
management services, including osteoporosis screenings, medication management, 31
cardiovascular assessments, and specialized geriatric care, for Medicaid recipients who are 65 32
years of age or older. 33
34
ESTABLISHMENT OF SENIOR PREVENTIVE HEALTH GRANT PROGRAM 35 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 Senate Bill 379-First Edition
SECTION 3.2.(a) Effective July 1, 2025, there is appropriated from the General 1
Fund to the Division of Aging the sum of two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) 2
in recurring funds for each year of the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to develop and administer a 3
Senior Preventive Health Grant Program (Program). The purpose of the Program is to award 4
grants to healthcare providers that provide regular health screenings, medication management, 5
and geriatric healthcare consultations free of charge to senior citizens with a household income 6
at or below the federal poverty level. 7
SECTION 3.2.(b) The Division of Aging shall develop application materials and 8
selection criteria for the Program. The selection criteria shall take into consideration the 9
availability of other funds available to the applicant and the incidence of poverty in the area 10
served by the applicant. The Division of Aging shall make the final decision about awarding 11
grants under this Program, subject to the following requirements and limitations: 12
(1) The Division of Aging shall give priority to healthcare providers located in 13
rural or underserved areas of the State. 14
(2) The maximum amount of a grant award under the Program is twenty-five 15
thousand dollars ($25,000) per grantee. 16
SECTION 3.2.(c) For each fiscal year, the Division of Aging may use up to five 17
percent (5%) of the funds appropriated for the Program for administrative purposes associated 18
with administering the Program. 19
SECTION 3.2.(d) Annually by April 1, beginning April 1, 2027, the Division of 20
Aging shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services 21
and the Fiscal Research Division on the Program authorized by this section. The report shall 22
include at least all of the following information: 23
(1) An itemized list of Program expenditures. 24
(2) The identity and a brief description of each grantee and the services offered 25
by the grantee. 26
(3) The amount of funding awarded to each grantee. 27
(4) The number of individuals served by each grantee and, for the individuals 28
served, the types of services provided to each. 29
(5) Any other information requested by the Division of Aging as necessary for 30
evaluating the success of the Program. 31
32
PART IV. TELEHEALTH AND REMOTE CARE SERV ICES 33
34
EXPANSION OF TELEHEALTH INFRASTR UCTURE GRANT PROGRAM 35
SECTION 4.1. Section 9B.7A of S.L. 2023-134 reads as rewritten: 36
"SECTION 9B.7A.(a) Of the funds appropriated in this act from the ARPA Temporary 37
Savings Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Central Management 38
and Support, Office of Rural Health (ORH), the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in 39
nonrecurring funds for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and the sum of fifteen million dollars 40
($15,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2024-2025 fiscal year shall be allocated for the 41
telehealth infrastructure grant program authorized by subsection (b) of this section. 42
"SECTION 9B.7A.(b) The ORH shall establish a telehealth infrastructure grant program to 43
award grants on a competitive basis to rural healthcare providers to be used to purchase 44
equipment, high-speed internet access, and any other infrastructure necessary to establish 45
telehealth services, defined as the use of two-way, real-time interactive audio and video where 46
the healthcare provider and the patient can hear and see each other. In awarding grants under this 47
program, the ORH is subject to the following requirements and limitations: 48
(1) Priority shall be given to independent practices that specialize in the health 49
and well-being of elderly persons 65 years of age or older, independent 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Senate Bill 379-First Edition Page 3
primary care practices practices, and independent obstetrics and gynecology 1
practices. 2
(2) The maximum amount of a grant award is two hundred fifty thousand dollars 3
($250,000) per grantee. 4
"SECTION 9B.7A.(c) By April 1, 2024, and by April 1, 2025, Annually by April 1, 5
beginning April 1, 2024, and ending on April 1 of the fiscal year following the year in which all 6
funds appropriated for the program authorized by subsection (a) of this section are expended, the 7
ORH shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services 8
and the Fiscal Research Division on the grants awarded under this section. The report shall 9
include at least all of the following information: 10
(1) A list of grant recipients. 11
(2) The total amount of grant funds awarded to each recipient." 12
13
SENIOR TELEHEALTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 14
SECTION 4.2.(a) Effective July 1, 2025, there is appropriated from the General 15
Fund to the Division of Aging the sum of two million dollars ($2,000,000) in recurring funds for 16
each year of the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to be used to establish and administer a Senior 17
Telehealth Assistance Program (Program). The purpose of the Program is to provide State-funded 18
financial assistance to senior citizens to help them purchase equipment, high–speed internet 19
access, and any other infrastructure necessary to participate in telehealth services, defined as the 20
use of two–way, real–time interactive audio and video where the healthcare provider and the 21
patient can hear and see each other. The Division of Aging shall establish the Program and 22
develop application materials and selection criteria for the Program in consultation with 23
community-based healthcare providers and senior advocacy groups. The Division of Aging shall 24
make the final decision about awarding financial assistance under the Program, subject to the 25
following requirements and limitations: 26
(1) Priority shall be given to senior citizens residing in rural or underserved areas 27
of the State. 28
(2) No household may receive more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) in 29
State-funded financial assistance under the Program. 30
SECTION 4.2.(b) For each fiscal year, the Division of Aging may use up to five 31
percent (5%) of the funds appropriated for the Program for administrative purposes associated 32
with administering the Program. 33
SECTION 4.2.(c) Annually by April 1, beginning April 1, 2027, the Division of 34
Aging shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services 35
and the Fiscal Research Division on the grants awarded under this section. The report shall 36
include at least all of the following information: 37
(1) An itemized list of Program expenditures. 38
(2) The total number of recipients who received financial assistance under the 39
Program. 40
(3) The total amount of financial assistance provided to each recipient. 41
(4) Any other information requested by the Division of Aging as necessary for 42
evaluating the success of the Program. 43
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PART V. INTEGRATED CARE COORDINATION 45
46
MULTIDISCIPLINARY CARE TEAMS 47
SECTION 5.1. By February 1, 2026, the Division of Aging shall develop and submit 48
to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal 49
Research Division a plan for a statewide initiative to form multidisciplinary care teams to 50
coordinate care provided to senior citizens by primary care providers, specialists, social workers, 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 4 Senate Bill 379-First Edition
and home health agencies as defined in G.S. 131E-136. The purpose of these multidisciplinary 1
care teams is to promote holistic, patient-centered care and ensure continuity of medical treatment 2
for senior citizens with multiple health conditions. The Division of Aging shall not implement 3
the plan without an act by the General Assembly. 4
5
SENIOR CARE NAVIGATION SERVICES 6
SECTION 5.2. Effective July 1, 2025, there is appropriated from the General Fund 7
to the Division of Aging the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in recurring funds 8
for each year of the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium and the sum of one million five hundred thousand 9
dollars ($1,500,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to implement a Senior 10
Care Navigation Hotline by May 1, 2026, to provide guidance to seniors on how to access 11
home-based healthcare services, social programs, caregiver support programs, and programs that 12
provide State financial assistance to seniors to assist with home modifications. The Division of 13
Aging shall operate the hotline in partnership with local agencies and local healthcare providers. 14
15
PART VI. HOME-BASED CARE AND AGING IN PLACE 16
17
EXPANSION OF HOME-BASED HEALTHCARE SERVICES 18
SECTION 6.1. The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health 19
Benefits, shall ensure the Medicaid program covers home-based healthcare services, including 20
nursing visits, physical therapy, and remote monitoring for Medicaid recipients who are 65 years 21
of age or older. 22
SECTION 6.2.(a) Effective July 1, 2025, there is appropriated from the General 23
Fund to the Division of Aging the sum of thirty-three million dollars ($33,000,000) in recurring 24
funds for each year of the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to support an initiative to increase access 25
to non-Medicaid home-based healthcare services and caregiver support for senior citizens and 26
their families. A portion of these funds shall be used to establish a Caregiver Assistance Program 27
that provides a monthly stipend of up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) to a family member who 28
provides in-home care to an eligible senior. The Division of Aging shall establish an application 29
process and eligibility criteria for participation in the Caregiver Assistance Program. In addition, 30
the Division of Aging shall determine the amount of the monthly stipend for each applicant. In 31
determining the amount of the monthly stipend, the Division of Aging shall consider an 32
assessment of care needs performed by a licensed physician. Each recipient of financial 33
assistance under the Caregiver Assistance Program shall meet at least all of the following criteria: 34
(1) Is 65 years of age or older. 35
(2) Has a household income at or below two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the 36
federal poverty level. 37
SECTION 6.2.(b) Annually by April 1, beginning April 1, 2027, the Division of 38
Aging shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services 39
and the Fiscal Research Division on the Caregiver Assistance Program and any other programs, 40
services, or initiatives funded by subsection (a) of this section. The report shall include at least 41
all of the following information: 42
(1) An itemized list of expenditures. 43
(2) The types of non-Medicaid home-based healthcare services and caregiver 44
support programs funded, broken down by geographic location and the 45
number of people served at each location. 46
(3) Any other information requested by the Division of Aging as necessary for 47
evaluating the success of any funded programs, services, or initiatives. 48
49
SENIOR HOME SAFETY PROGRAM 50 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Senate Bill 379-First Edition Page 5
SECTION 6.3.(a) Effective July 1, 2025, there is appropriated from the General 1
Fund to the Division of Aging the sum of seven million dollars ($7,000,000) in recurring funds 2
for each year of the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to establish a Senior Home Safety Program 3
(Program). The purpose of the Program is to provide grants and loans at below-market interest 4
rates to senior citizens to assist with home modifications for a primary residence to improve 5
accessibility and safety, including, but not limited to, all of the following: 6
(1) Installation of wheelchair ramps. 7
(2) Bathroom safety improvements such as grab bars and walk-in showers. 8
(3) Widening of doorways for mobility assistance. 9
(4) Stairlifts and handrail installations. 10
SECTION 6.3.(b) The Division of Aging shall establish an application process and 11
eligibility criteria for participation in the Program, giving priority to senior citizens who are 12
disabled or have a household income at or below two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the federal 13
poverty level. The Division of Aging shall make the final decision about whether to award 14
eligible senior citizens a loan or a grant under the Program and the amount of the loan or grant. 15
SECTION 6.3.(c) The Senior Home Safety Fund (Fund) is created as a nonreverting 16
special fund in the Division of Aging. The Fund shall operate as a revolving fund consisting of 17
funds appropriated to, or otherwise received by, the Senior Home Safety Program and all funds 18
received as repayment of the principal of or interest on a loan made from the Fund. The State 19
Treasurer is the custodian of the Fund and shall invest its assets in accordance with G.S. 147-69.2 20
and G.S. 147-69.3. Moneys in the Fund shall only be used for loans and grants made pursuant to 21
this section. 22
SECTION 6.3.(d) Annually by April 1, beginning April 1, 2027, the Division of 23
Aging shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services 24
and the Fiscal Research Division on the Program authorized by this section. The report shall 25
include at least all of the following information: 26
(1) A detailed list of how the funds were expended. 27
(2) The number of loans and grants awarded under the Program and the amount 28
of each. 29
(3) The number of persons served. 30
(4) Any other information requested by the Division of Aging as necessary for 31
evaluating the success of this initiative. 32
33
PART VII. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND DATA MON ITORING 34
35
PERFORMANCE METRICS AND REPORTING 36
SECTION 7.1. The Division of Aging shall establish annual reporting requirements 37
for healthcare providers participating in State-funded programs that provide care to senior 38
citizens that allow the Division of Aging to evaluate health outcomes, program effectiveness, and 39
service accessibility. 40
41
STATEWIDE SENIOR HEALTH DATABASE 42
SECTION 7.2. Effective July 1, 2025, there is appropriated from the General Fund 43
to the Division of Aging the sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) in recurring 44
funds for each year of the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to develop and implement a Senior Health 45
Data Initiative to collect data regarding the health of senior citizens and to monitor and assess 46
trends in senior healthcare needs and outcomes. Data collected as part of the Senior Health Data 47
Initiative shall be used to inform the Division of Aging's future policy decisions and funding 48
allocations. 49
50
PART VIII. INTEGRATION WITH EXISTING PRO GRAMS 51 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 6 Senate Bill 379-First Edition
SECTION 8.1. It is the intent of the General Assembly to build upon and expand 1
existing Medicaid waiver programs. The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of 2
Health Benefits, shall work with all applicable federal agencies to ensure maximum funding for 3
the NC Medicaid Program. 4
SECTION 8.2. It is the intent of the General Assembly to build upon and expand 5
existing programs that benefit senior citizens to support their well-being and independence. To 6
this end, the Division of Aging shall work with Area Agencies on Aging and other appropriate 7
State and federal agencies and stakeholders to ensure maximum funding for programs benefiting 8
senior citizens. 9
10
PART IX. EFFECTIVE DATE 11
SECTION 9.1. Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes 12
law. 13