AN ACT to REQUIRE association health plans to provide coverage for essential health benefits.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 58‑50A‑20 reads as rewritten:

§ 58‑50A‑20.  Health plan requirements.

Any group health plan offered by a sponsoring association must meet all of the following requirements:

(1)        Neither be offered nor advertised to the public generally.

(2)        Provides a level of coverage equal to or greater than sixty percent (60%) of the actuarial value of allowed costs for covered benefits.

(3)        Provides coverage for hospital and physician services.

(4)        Complies with the provisions of G.S. 58‑3‑150.

(5)        Provides coverage for the essential health benefits listed in 42 U.S.C. § 18022(b).

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2021, and applies to contracts entered into, amended, or renewed on or after that date.