Contains whereas clauses. Titles the act the “Senior Care Assurance Act.” Defines Division of Aging (a division of the Department of Health and Human Services) and senior citizen (a State resident 65 years of age and older). 

Requires the Division of Health Benefits to ensure the Medicaid program covers preventive screenings and chronic disease management services, including osteoporosis screenings, medication management, cardiovascular assessments, and specialized geriatric care, for Medicaid recipients who are 65 years of age or older.

Effective July 1, 2025, appropriates $2.5 million from the General Fund to the Division of Aging (Division) in recurring funds for each year of the fiscal biennium for 2025-27 to develop the Senior Preventive Health Grant Program (Program), a grant program to healthcare providers that provide regular health screenings, medication management, and geriatric healthcare consultations free of charge to senior citizens with a household income at or below the federal poverty level. Caps grants at $25,000 per grantee. Provides for an application process. Instructs the Division to develop selection criteria. Requires that final award decisions give priority to healthcare providers located in rural or underserved areas of the State. Authorizes use of up to 5% of appropriated funds for administrative costs. Starting April 1, 2027, requires the Division to submit an annual report by April 1 to the specified NCGA committee and the Fiscal Research Division (FRD) on the Program, to include at least the five specified prongs of information.

Amends Section 9B.7A of SL 2023-134 (2023 Appropriations act), which establishes a telehealth infrastructure grant program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Central Management and Support, Office of Rural Health (ORH). Directs ORH to give priority to independent practices that specialize in the health and well-being of elderly persons 65 years of age or older. Extends ORH’s annual reporting requirement so that it sunsets on April 1 of the fiscal year all of the telehealth infrastructure grant program funds are expended (currently, reporting requirement ends April 1, 2025). Makes a technical change.

Effective July 1, 2025, appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to the Division in recurring funds for each year of the fiscal biennium for 2025-27 to develop the Senior Telehealth Assistance Program (STAP) to provide State-funded financial assistance of up to $1,000 per household to senior citizens to help them purchase equipment, high–speed internet access, and any other infrastructure necessary to participate in telehealth services (defined). Instructs the Division to develop selection criteria in consultation with community-based healthcare providers and senior advocacy groups. Requires that final award decisions give priority to senior citizens residing in rural or underserved areas of the State. Authorizes use of up to 5% of appropriated funds for administrative costs. Starting April 1, 2027, requires the Division to submit an annual report by April 1 to the specified NCGA committee and the Fiscal Research Division (FRD) on STAP, to include at least the four specified prongs of information.

Requires the Division to develop and submit to the specified NCGA committee, a plan for a statewide initiative to form multidisciplinary care teams to coordinate care provided to senior citizens by the specified providers by February 1, 2026. Specifies that the teams’ purposes are to promote holistic, patient-centered care and ensure continuity of medical treatment for senior citizens with multiple health conditions. Limits the Division from implementing the plan unless there is an act by the General Assembly.

Effective July 1, 2025, appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Division in recurring funds for each year of the fiscal biennium for 2025-27 and $1.5 million in nonrecurring funding for the 2025-26 year to implement a Senior Care Navigation Hotline by May 1, 2026, operated by the division in partnership with local agencies and healthcare providers.

Directs the Division to ensure the Medicaid program covers home-based healthcare services, including nursing visits, physical therapy, and remote monitoring for Medicaid recipients who are 65 years of age or older.

Effective July 1, 2025, appropriates $33 million from the General Fund to the Division in recurring funds for each year of the fiscal biennium for 2025-27 to support an initiative to increase access to non-Medicaid home-based healthcare services and caregiver support for senior citizens and their families. Instructs that a portion of those funds be used to establish a Caregiver Assistance Program that provides a monthly stipend of up to $500 to a family member who provides in-home care to an eligible senior, with the Division to establish criteria and stipend amount, using at least the two specified criteria. Starting April 1, 2027, requires the Division to submit an annual report by April 1 to the specified NCGA committee and the FRD on the Caregiver Assistance Program and any other programs, initiatives, or services funded by the appropriation, including at least the three listed topics.

Effective July 1, 2025, appropriates $7 million from the General Fund to the Division in recurring funds for each year of the fiscal biennium for 2025-27 to develop the Senior Home Safety Program (Home Program) to provide grants and loans at below-market interest rates to senior citizens to assist with home modifications for a primary residence to improve accessibility and safety, including the listed modifications. Instructs the Division to develop eligibility criteria, giving priority to senior citizens who are disabled or who meet the specified income limit. Gives the Division discretion to determine whether the applicant will be awarded a grant or a loan. Creates the Senior Home Safety Fund (Fund), a nonreverting special fund in the Division operating as a revolving fund consisting of funds appropriated to, or otherwise received by, the Home Program and all funds received as repayment of the principal of or interest on a loan made from the Fund. Names the State Treasurer the custodian of the Fund. Starting April 1, 2027, requires the Division to submit an annual report by April 1 to the specified NCGA committee and the FRD on the Home Program to include the four prongs of information.

Directs the Division to establish annual reporting requirements for healthcare providers participating in State-funded programs that provide care to senior citizens that allow the Division to evaluate health outcomes, program effectiveness, and service accessibility.

Effective July 1, 2025, appropriates $150,000 from the General Fund to the Division in recurring funds for each year of the fiscal biennium for 2025-27 to develop and implement a Senior Health Data Initiative to collect data regarding the health of senior citizens and to monitor and assess trends in senior healthcare needs and outcomes. Requires the Division to use the data to inform its future policy decisions and funding allocations. 

States the General Assembly’s intent to (1) to build upon and expand existing Medicaid waiver programs and (2) to build upon and expand existing programs that benefit senior citizens to support their well-being and independence. Instructs the Division to work with the specified agencies to ensure maximum funding for the NC Medicaid Program and for programs benefiting senior citizens to achieve these goals.