A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to allow third‑party premium payments for health benefit plans.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 3 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 58‑3‑305.  Third‑party premium payments; refusal of acceptance.
(a)	A health benefit plan must accept a premium payment made by a third party to the insurance contract provided the payment is made from or pursuant to a fund or grant established by any of the following:
(1)	The Ryan White HIV/AIDS program pursuant to Title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act.
(2)	Native American tribes or tribal organizations.
(3)	State or federal government programs.
(4)	The American Kidney Fund.
(b)	Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a health benefit plan to accept a third‑party premium payment for a health care provider.
(c)	As used in this section, "health benefit plan" is as defined in G.S. 58‑3‑167(a)(1)."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2015, and applies to health benefit contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after that date.