Rep. Huneycutt files bill in North Carolina House on TMS insurance coverage

A new bill filed by State Rep. Cody Huneycutt in the North Carolina House seeks to require insurers to cover transcranial magnetic stimulation treatments for depression and mental disorders, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 152 on Feb. 18 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Access to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.’

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

In essence, the bill mandates that insurers in North Carolina offering health benefit plans that cover transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) must ensure coverage for all TMS procedures performed by appropriately licensed healthcare providers or facilities treating depression and other mental disorders. Insurers cannot penalize providers or facilities submitting claims based on medical specialty. However, insurers have discretion to decide whether to cover TMS, the conditions for which it is covered, coverage requirements, and reimbursement rates. Penalties like denial or reduction of claim reimbursements are prohibited. Differences in reimbursement rates are allowed based on factors such as provider network participation, service location, and provider qualifications. The act is effective Oct. 1, 2025, and applies to insurance contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after that date.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Donny Lambeth proposed the most bills (13) 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.

Huneycutt graduated from the University of North Carolina in 2014 with a BA.

Huneycutt, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 67th House district, replacing previous state representative Clayton Sasser.