Senate Bill 85 Summary

• Allows nonprofit hospital service corporations in North Carolina to offer vision service plans in addition to existing hospital, medical, and dental service plans, effective November 1, 2021.

• Permits corporations to issue vision service contracts and enter into agreements with optometrists and ophthalmologists to provide vision care services to subscribers.

• Adds "vision service plan" definition to the statutory framework as a contract for provision of or payment of fees for vision care services provided by duly licensed optometrists or ophthalmologists.

• Reclassifies corporations offering only vision services (with or without dental services) as "single-service corporations" with lower licensing fees ($1,500) compared to full-service corporations ($2,500).

• Makes conforming changes throughout Chapter 58 of the General Statutes to add vision services alongside hospital, medical, and dental services in relevant insurance provisions and notice requirements.