(a) The Commissioner may conduct an examination of a licensee’s self-funded employee benefit plan as often as the Commissioner considers appropriate.

(b) An examination under this Article shall be conducted in accordance with the Examination Law of this Chapter, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-2-131 through N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-2-133.

(c) In lieu of an examination of any foreign or alien licensee’s self-funded employee benefit plan, the Commissioner may, in the Commissioner’s discretion, accept an examination report on the licensee’s self-funded employee benefit plan prepared by the appropriate regulator for the licensee’s state of domicile.

(d) When making an examination under this section, the Commissioner may retain attorneys, appraisers, independent actuaries, independent certified public accountants, or other professionals and specialists as examiners, the reasonable cost of which shall be borne by the licensee that is the subject of the examination.

(e) The amount paid by a PEO for an examination of its health benefit plan under this section shall not exceed sixty thousand dollars ($60,000), unless the PEO and the Commissioner agree on a higher amount. The State Treasurer shall deposit all funds received under this section in the Insurance Regulatory Fund established under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-6-25. Funds received under this section shall be used by the Department for offsetting the actual expenses incurred by the Department for examinations under this section. (2009-552, s. 3.)