How SB 459 changes current law

Compared against the N.C. General Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill exempts providers of physician office-based vascular access procedures from the certificate of need review process.

• G.S. 131E-175

  (13) That physicians providing care for vascular access sites in unlicensed settings should be given an opportunity to obtain a license to provide those services to ensure the safety of patients and the provision of quality care. (14) That demand for establishing and maintaining sites for vascular access procedures, which are commonly performed in emergency departments, is increasing at a rapid rate as more North Carolinians are living longer with end-stage renal disease. (15) That continuing to treat vulnerable patients with end-stage renal disease in nonhospital settings lowers costs, reduces overnight hospital stays, and keeps patients healthier.

  This addition establishes new findings emphasizing the importance of vascular access procedures.

• G.S. 131E-178

  § 131E-178. Activities requiring certificate of need. → § 131E-178. Activities requiring certificate of need; limited exemptions for gastrointestinal endoscopy and vascular access for hemodialysis.

  This change updates the section title to reflect new exemptions for vascular access services.

• G.S. 131E-178(a2)

  No person who provides vascular access for hemodialysis in a physician office-based vascular access center located in a nonlicensed setting shall be required to obtain a certificate of need to license that setting as an ambulatory surgical facility with the existing number of vascular access procedure rooms, provided that the person meets all of the following criteria: (1) The license application is postmarked for delivery to the Division of Health Service Regulation by December 31, 2023. (2) The applicant verifies, by affidavit submitted to the Division of Health Service Regulation within 60 days after the effective date of this act, that the facility was in operation as of the effective date of this act or that the completed application for the building permit for the facility was submitted by the effective date of this act. (3) The facility has been accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, The Joint Commission, or the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities by the time the license application is postmarked for delivery to the Division of Health Service Regulation of the Department. (4) The license application includes a commitment to and a plan for serving indigent and medically underserved populations.

  This provision exempts vascular access centers from requiring a certificate of need under certain conditions.