A group policy delivered or issued for delivery in this State that insures employees or members for hospital, surgical or major medical insurance on an expense incurred or service basis under this Chapter, other than for specific diseases or for accidental injuries only, shall provide that employees or members whose coverage under the group policy would otherwise terminate because of termination of active employment or membership, or termination of membership in the eligible class or classes under the policy, shall be entitled to continue their hospital, surgical, and medical insurance under that group policy, for themselves and their eligible spouses and dependents with respect to whom they were insured on the date of termination, subject to all of the group policy’s terms and conditions and to the conditions specified in this Part. Provided, the terms and conditions set forth in this Part are intended as minimum requirements and shall not be construed to impose additional or different requirements upon those group hospital, surgical, or major medical plans that provide continuation benefits equal to or better than those required in this Part. (1981, c. 706, s. 1; 1997-259, s. 11.)

Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 58-53-5

  • Group policy: means a group accident and health insurance policy issued by an insurance company and a group contract issued by a service corporation or health maintenance organization or similar corporation or organization. See North Carolina General Statutes 58-53-1
  • insured: refer to coverage under a group policy, individual policy or converted policy on a premium-paying basis, and do not include coverage provided by reason of a disability extension. See North Carolina General Statutes 58-53-1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3