All benefits under any blanket health policy or contract shall be payable to the person insured, or to his or her designated beneficiary or beneficiaries, or to his or her estate, except that if the person insured be a minor or otherwise not competent to give a valid release, such benefits may be made payable to his or her parent, guardian or other person actually supporting him or her. Except, however, that the policy may provide that all or a portion of any indemnities provided by any such policy on account of hospital, nursing, medical or surgical services may, at the option of the insurer, and unless the insured requests otherwise in writing not later than the time of filing proofs of such loss, be paid directly to the hospital or person rendering such services, but the policy may not require that the service be rendered by a particular hospital or person. Payment so made shall discharge the obligation of the insurer with respect to the amount of insurance so paid.