NC H161

Amends G.S. 8-58.1 to establish that testimony by an injured party about medical charges creates a rebuttable presumption of reasonableness, unless a provider testifies under oath that charges can be satisfied for a lesser amount.

Requires health insurance claims to be filed and applied to reduce billed charges; if insurance is filed and no lien is asserted, evidence of charges must reflect amounts paid by all sources and remaining amounts due.

If a lien is asserted under G.S. 44-49 or G.S. 44-50, evidence of charges must include the claimed lien amount plus any amounts paid toward the balance and amounts due not included in the lien.

Adds new conditions for valid medical liens in G.S. 44-49(b), including requirements that providers furnish clear written notice to the injured party's attorney and timely submit claims to health insurers within allotted time requirements.

Designates three new unfair insurance practices under G.S. 58-63-15: calculating health care provider charges by methods other than G.S. 8-58.1, and improperly applying evidence rules to health care provider charges in arbitration or non-Rules of Evidence proceedings.

Effective upon enactment and applies to civil actions pending on or after the effective date.