NC S498

Expands the definition of "religious employer" eligible for contraceptive coverage exclusions from entities organized for religious purposes with tax-exempt status to include entities operated pursuant to moral, ethical, or religious tenets contrary to contraceptive use or provision.

Permits entities where majority owners hold sincerely held religious or moral objections to contraceptives, as well as their wholly owned subsidiaries, to request health benefit plans excluding contraceptive drug and device coverage.

Adds sole proprietorships where the sole proprietor has a sincerely held religious or moral objection to contraceptives as eligible for the religious employer exemption.

Maintains existing requirements that insurers provide written notice in health benefit plan materials that contraceptive coverage is excluded, and prohibits exclusion of prescription drugs for non-contraceptive purposes or contraception necessary to preserve life or health.

Effective upon enactment and applies to existing health benefit plans to the extent permitted by U.S. or North Carolina Constitutional law.