N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-1 : — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND SERVICESGENERAL PROVISIONS —1 - Definitions TEXT PDF As used in this Chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (1) "Department" means the Department of Health and Human Services. (2) "Person" means an individual, trust, estate, partnership, or corporation including associations, joint-stock companies, and insurance companies. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 131E-1 1983, c. 775, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a).