(a) An insurance company licensed in this state, or a hospital or medical service corporation authorized to do business in this state, may either directly, or through a subsidiary or affiliate, organize and operate a health maintenance organization under the provisions of this chapter.
(b)
(1) Notwithstanding any provision of the Hospital and Medical Service Corporations Act, § 23-75-101 et seq., an insurer or a hospital and medical service corporation may contract with a health maintenance organization to provide insurance or similar protection against the cost of care provided through health maintenance organizations and to provide coverage in the event of the failure of the health maintenance organization to meet its obligations.
(2) The enrollees of a health maintenance organization constitute a permissible group under such laws.
(3) Among other things, under the contracts, the insurer or hospital or medical service corporation may make benefit payments to health maintenance organizations for healthcare services rendered by providers pursuant to the healthcare plan.