NC S359

Prohibits health insurance carriers from blocking health care providers from contracting with other insurers at equal or lower reimbursement rates.

Prohibits requiring providers to accept lower payment rates if they agree to serve other insurers at equal or lower rates than specified in the contract.

Prohibits terminating or requiring renegotiation of contracts based on a provider contracting with other insurers at equal or lower rates.

Prohibits requiring providers to disclose their contractual rates with other health insurance carriers, or automatically adjusting rates to match the lowest rate offered to any carrier.

Becomes effective October 1, 2013, and applies to contracts entered into, renewed, or amended on or after that date.