26-22-101. Reimbursement for health services provided by licensed practitioner or registered dietitian not to be denied.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of any medical service contract or policy of disability insurance or certificate to the contrary if a medical service contract or insurance policy or certificate provides for reimbursement to the insured or subscriber for health services, reimbursement in amounts provided under the contract or insurance policy shall not be denied if the services are rendered to the insured or subscriber by a person licensed under the laws of this state to treat the illness or disability or perform the health services covered by the contract or policy. Nothing in this section prevents the insured from contracting with the insurer for direct payment of policy proceeds to the provider of health services.
(b) For purposes of reimbursements provided by subsection (a) of this section for dietary services, a dietitian registered with the commission on dietetic registration of the American dietetic association shall be deemed a "person licensed" within the meaning of subsection (a) and benefits otherwise provided by the contract shall be provided. Nothing in this section shall require a disability insurer to pay for services provided by a dietitian or a registered dietitian unless otherwise provided as a benefit in the contract or policy.