A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to reestablish copayment equity for chiropractic care.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 58‑50‑30(a3) is recodified as G.S. 58‑50‑27(b).
SECTION 2.  G.S. 58‑50‑27, as enacted by Section 1 of this act, reads as rewritten:
"§ 58‑50‑27.  Chiropractic services.
(a)	The following definitions apply in this section:
(1)	Health benefit plan. – As defined in G.S. 58‑3‑167.
(2)	Insurer. – As defined in G.S. 58‑3‑167.
(3)	Licensed chiropractor. – An individual holding a license under Article 8 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.
(b)	An insurer shall not offer a health benefit plan that imposes any limitation on treatment or levels of coverage if performed by a licensed chiropractor acting within the scope of the chiropractor's practice unless a comparable limitation is also imposed on the medically necessary treatment if performed or authorized by any licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner.
(c)	An insurer shall not offer a health benefit plan that imposes, as a limitation on treatment or level of coverage, a copayment amount charged to the insured for chiropractic services that is higher than the copayment amount for the services of a licensed primary care physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner for a comparable medically necessary treatment or condition."
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2021, and applies to insurance contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after that date.