33-22-1902. Definitions. As used in this part, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Covered person" means a policyholder, subscriber, certificate holder, enrollee, or other individual who is participating in a health benefit plan.

(2) "Health benefit plan" means any individual or group plan, policy, certificate, subscriber contract, contract of insurance provided by a managed care plan, preferred provider agreement, or health maintenance organization subscriber contract that is issued, delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in this state by a health carrier that pays for, purchases, or furnishes health care services to covered persons who receive health care services in this state. For the purposes of this part, a health benefit plan located or domiciled outside of the state of Montana is subject to the provisions of this part if it receives, processes, adjudicates, pays, or denies claims for health care services submitted by or on behalf of covered persons who reside or who receive health care services in the state of Montana.

(3) "Health carrier" means a disability insurer, health care insurer, health maintenance organization, accident and sickness insurer, fraternal benefit society, nonprofit hospital service corporation, health service corporation, health care service plan, preferred provider organization or arrangement, multiple employer welfare arrangement, or any other person, firm, corporation, joint venture, or similar business entity.

(4) "Obstetrician or gynecologist" means a physician who is board-eligible or board-certified by the American board of obstetrics and gynecology.

(5) "Participating obstetrician or gynecologist" means an obstetrician or gynecologist who is employed by or under contract with a health benefit plan.

(6) "Primary care physician" means a physician who has the responsibility for providing initial and primary care to patients, for maintaining the continuity of patient care, and for initiating referrals for specialist care.

History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 198, L. 1997.