§33-25D-17. Powers of insurers, hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, dental service corporations, health service corporations and health maintenance organizations.

(a) An insurance company licensed in this state, a hospital, medical, dental or health service corporation authorized to do business in this state or a health maintenance organization holding a certificate of authority under article twenty-five-a of this chapter, after applying for and receiving a certificate of authority as a prepaid limited health service organization, may through a subsidiary or affiliate organize and operate a prepaid limited health service organization under the provisions of this article. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, any two or more insurance companies, hospital, medical, dental or health service corporations, health maintenance organizations or subsidiaries or affiliates thereof, may jointly organize and operate a prepaid limited health service organization. The business of insurance is considered to include the providing of health care by a prepaid limited health service organization owned or operated by an insurer or a subsidiary of the insurer.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of insurance, hospital, medical, dental or health service corporation or health maintenance organization laws, an insurer, a hospital, medical, dental or health service corporation or a health maintenance organization may contract with a prepaid limited health service organization to provide insurance or similar protection against the cost of care provided through prepaid limited health service organizations and to provide coverage in the event of the failure of the prepaid limited health service organization to meet its obligations. The enrollees of a prepaid limited health service organization constitute a permissible group under those laws. Under the contracts, the insurer or hospital, medical, dental or health service corporation or health maintenance organization may make benefit payments to prepaid limited health service organizations for limited health services rendered by providers.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of insurance, hospital, medical, dental or health service corporation or health maintenance organization laws, an insurer, a hospital, medical, dental or health service corporation or a health maintenance organization may exclude in any contract or policy issued to a group, any coverage which would duplicate the coverage of a prepaid limited health service organization, whether for services, supplies or reimbursement, to the extent that the coverage or service is provided in accordance with this chapter pursuant to a contract or policy issued to the same group or to a part of that group by a prepaid limited health service organization.