My brother is alone in NC and I live in VA. How can I be sure I am notified if he is hospitalized and can’t speak or if he dies?

My brother had my name, address and telephone numbers on a card in his wallet and also in his glove compartment.

HIPPA laws are very strict for good reason. But it can present problems.
He would have to list you as a person that can be given information. Every time you go to the doctors office you are given a form to complete that you can give this information. When you are admitted to the hospital you complete the same form. In an emergency if he has documentation with him (medic alert or other information) then you could be contacted.
On the flip side, if he does list you on any HIPPA forms then you will not be notified.

This is up to your brother. He has to put you down as an energency contact on paperwork for Doctors. If he goes to the same hospital all the time, you could be placed on those records too. Any HIPPA forms should say that doctors can talk to you. If he is in an AL or LTC, you could be placed on his paperwork if he is able to authorize it.

Does your brother have no family in NC? A POA? That would contact you.