(a)        Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the provisions of this Article apply to the certificates and contracts of direct insurance and health care coverage that are described in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-65-60(a) and (b).

(b)        Nothing in this Article applies to:

(1)        Any group contract or certificate, nor any group certificate delivered or issued for delivery outside of this State;

(2)        Insurers who issue benefit booklets on group and nongroup bases explaining the certificates or contracts issued under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-65-60. In such cases, the provisions of this Article apply only to the benefit booklets furnished to the persons insured, and not to the certificates.

(c)        No other provision of the General Statutes setting language simplification standards shall apply to any certificate forms covered by this Article.

(d)       Any non-English language certificate delivered or issued for delivery in this State shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Article if the insurer certifies that such certificate is translated from an English language certificate which does comply with this Article. (1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1161, s. 1.)