(a) The premium for the converted policy or group conversion trust certificate shall be determined in accordance with the insurer‘s table of premium rates applicable to the age and class of risk to be covered under that policy and to the type and amount of insurance provided.

(b) All insurers licensed to do business in this State, who issue conversion policies or group conversion trust certificates under this Part, have the right to increase that element of the premium that applies to hospital room and board benefit increases provided for in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-53-95(5) by an amount proportionate to the increase promulgated by the Commissioner. Such premium increases shall be filed with the Commissioner.

(c) All premium rates and adjustments to premium rates for converted policies or group conversion trust certificates shall be reasonable and must be filed with and approved by the Commissioner prior to use. A premium rate shall be deemed to be reasonable if the insurer demonstrates that the premium charged is expected to produce an incurred loss ratio to earned premiums of not less than sixty percent (60%) for all policies or group conversion trust certificates providing similar benefits offered and issued by the insurer. If an insurer experiences an incurred loss ratio of greater than eighty percent (80%) for all such policies, it shall be deemed reasonable for that insurer to increase premium rates to a level that will produce a prospective incurred loss ratio of no greater than eighty percent (80%), and the insurer shall file such new rates with the Commissioner not more often than once a year. (1981, c. 706, s. 1; 1983, c. 669; 1995, c. 517, s. 30.)