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Medicaid Rate Reduction Reversal December 19, 2025 Update
Medicaid will be putting out a Provider Bulletin later today indicating the expectation for Standard and Tailored Plans to roll out the fee schedules with the Medicaid rates that were assigned to providers as of September 30th. There are 2 sides to this reversal: 1) restoration of rates for each DOS moving forward and 2) restoration of incorrectly paid DOS retroactive to 10/1/25. Currently, DHB is verifying that the fee schedules they provide to the Standard and Tailored Plans are ACCURATE and then the plans have up to 45 days to implement the restored rates. Once rates for DOS moving forward are accurate, PHPs will then move to repay the difference for all DOS from 10/1/25 that were paid at the reduced rate(s). Each plan HOPES to have the rates for current DOS restored by Feb 1st (or earlier), but the goal is accuracy the first time. Watch your inbox for the Medicaid bulletin that should be released this afternoon.
Governor Stein tells NCDHHS to Restore Medicaid Reimbursement Rates
Together with providers across the state, NCSHLA returned to Raleigh to fight for providers and clients in NC. Visit the Governor's website for the full press release.
NCSHLA Representatives Meet with Governor on Medicaid Cuts
On November 6, 2025, a team of NCSHLA representatives traveled to Raleigh to meet with Governor Stein to discuss the ongoing impacts of the 3% reductions in Medicaid reimbursement rates on our community of allied health professionals. Governor Stein emphasized that resolving this issue will require continued advocacy from both professionals and families who rely on these essential services. He encouraged everyone to keep reaching out to their regional Senators—constituent voices remain critical in urging legislators to protect and strengthen Medicaid funding.
CMS Reverses Decision Regarding Qualifications of Provisional Licensees
ASHA has shared the below important news from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
As of July 28, 2025, CMS has confirmed that it is reversing its previous guidance regarding the qualifications of provisional licensees, including clinical fellows (CFs), to now align with state licensure requirements. This allows individuals holding provisional licenses to provide services to Medicare beneficiaries—provided they meet their respective state’s licensure requirements. Thank you for your advocacy and efforts in helping to make this outcome possible.
See Advocacy News: CMS Reverses Its Interpretation of a Qualified SLP: Clinical Fellows Cleared to Bill Medicare
ASHA is emailing members who have identified as working with CFs and will be posting on all social channels. Please feel free to share on your respective sites and help notify others!
Changes to Dual Licensure Requirements for AUD
On September 30th, HB 296 passed both chambers of NC Legislature and was enacted into law, marking a solid step forward for transparency for patients and improved regulatory barriers in practice. This legislation eliminated dual licensure requirements for audiologists with master’s degrees—an unnecessary barrier for professionals who have been serving the field since before the new standard of doctoral-level training. The legislation also updated the references to audiology assistants that were conflicting in previous legislation. Audiology assistants are already regulated and practice under the supervision of licensed audiologists. Finally, this bill improves patient choice and health care knowledge in establishing that patients must be provided a written disclosure when purchasing a “locked” hearing aid.