House Bill 973 became effective yesterday July 1st, 2008. The bill requires that NC insurance companies cannot discriminate against individuals who are mentally ill or chemically dependent.

According to the bill, a mental illness has the same meaning as defined in G.S. 122C-3(21) but those listed include: bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, paranoid and other psychotic disorder, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, anorexia-nervosa, and bulimia. A chemical dependency is defined in G.S. 58-51-50 which includes the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.

Under HB 973, an individual who has or had a mental illness or chemical dependency cannot be denied a policy that covers medical treatment for physical illness or injury, given a higher premium rate for physical illness or injury, or given reduced coverage or benefits for physical illness or injury.