(a) On and after January 1, 2008, a health insurer that contracts with a health care provider shall comply with the provisions of this chapter and shall include the provisions required by this chapter in the health care contract. A contract in existence prior to January 1, 2008, that is renewed or renews by its terms shall comply with the provisions of this chapter no later than December 31, 2008.
(b) As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Health care contract" means a contract entered into or renewed between a health insurer and a health care provider for the delivery of health care services to others.
(2) "Health care provider" means a person licensed or certified in this state to practice medicine, pharmacy, chiropractic, nursing, physical therapy, podiatry, dentistry, optometry, occupational therapy, or other healing arts.
(3) "Health insurer" means every nonprofit medical service corporation, hospital service corporation, health maintenance organization, or other insurer offering and/or insuring health services; the term shall in addition include any entity defined as an insurer under § 42-62-4 and any third-party administrator when interacting with health care providers and enrollees on behalf of such an insurer.
History of Section.
P.L. 2007, ch. 86, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 215, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 475, § 87.