NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1979 SESSION

CHAPTER 599

HOUSE BILL 1059

AN ACT TO REQUIRE PROMPT PAYMENT OF MEDICAL BILLS UNDER THE WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION ACT.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  G.S. 97-18 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"(g)       If any bill for services rendered under G.S. 97-25 by any provider of health care is not paid within 60 days after it has been approved by the Commission and returned to the responsible party, there shall be added to such unpaid bill an amount equal to ten per centum (10%) thereof, which shall be paid at the same time as, but in addition to, such medical bill, unless such late payment is excused by the Commission."

Sec. 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1979.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 21st day of May, 1979.