NC S459

Exempts providers of vascular access for hemodialysis in physician office-based centers from obtaining a Certificate of Need (CON) to license their facilities as ambulatory surgical facilities with existing procedure rooms.

Requires license applications to be postmarked by December 31, 2023, and applicants must verify the facility was operational or had a completed building permit application by the effective date.

Mandates facilities obtain accreditation from The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, The Joint Commission, or the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities prior to license application.

Requires license applications include a commitment and plan to serve indigent and medically underserved populations.

Becomes effective October 1, 2023; all other vascular access facilities still required to obtain CON approval.