Sen. Burgin files bill in North Carolina Senate on inpatient treatment reimbursements

A new bill filed by State Sen. Jim Burgin in the North Carolina Senate seeks to require local entities to reimburse private providers for inpatient treatment services beyond 30 days, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 531 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Extended Inpatient Treatment Reimbursable.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill mandates that Local Management Entities (LMEs) or Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) must reimburse private entities for the costs of inpatient treatment services provided for clients under a commitment order that extend beyond 30 days. This reimbursement requirement aims to support private entities in managing the financial burden of extended treatment periods while ensuring clients receive the necessary care. The act applies to inpatient services by private entities from the date it becomes law.

Burgin proposed another 63 bills during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Burgin graduated from The University of Tennessee Knoxville with a BS.

Burgin, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 12th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Ronald Rabin.