RALEIGH, N.C. -- A new law in North Carolina could change health coverage for state employees who are smokers or overweight.

It’s part of Senate Bill 287, called the “Comprehensive Wellness Initiative.” Eyewitness News' sister station, WGHP, reported it requires each state employee and family member covered by the State Health Plan to obtain a signed statement from a physician declaring they are not tobacco users in order to qualify for the 80/20 higher option plan.

If they are tobacco users, they’ll be moved to the lower 70/30 benefit plan.

Also, if a physician certifies the employee or family members are not using tobacco, the individual will have to take random testing for tobacco.

The State Health Plan, through a vendor not yet selected, is responsible for the verification testing.

Beginning in July of 2011, the same requirements will be placed on all plan members to maintain a certain BMI (Body Mass Index) in order to qualify for the higher 80/20 option insurance.

Individuals who want to keep their current plan without being moved to a new plan will be required to pay 10 percent more on their doctors bill.

Individuals overweight due to health reasons will be exempt from the new plan. The state considers anyone with a BMI over 40 to be obese.

The Comprehensive Wellness Initiative will cost less than $1 million per year for verification testing.