(a) Except as provided in §§ 14–205.2 and 14–205.3 of this article, and subject to subsection (b) of this section, on request of the policyholder, a policy of group health insurance may contain a provision that all or part of the benefits provided by the policy for hospital, nursing, medical, or surgical services, at the insurer’s option, may be paid directly to the hospital or person that provides the services.
(b) A policy of group health insurance may not require that hospital, nursing, medical, or surgical services be provided by a particular hospital or person.
(c) A direct payment made under subsection (a) of this section discharges the insurer’s obligation with respect to the amount paid.