As used in the Preferred Provider Arrangements Law:

A. "covered person" means any person on whose behalf the health care insurer is obligated to pay for or to provide health benefit services;

B. "covered services" means health care services which the health care insurer is obligated to pay for or to provide under a health benefit plan;

C. "emergency care" means covered services delivered to a covered person after the sudden onset of a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms that are severe enough that:

(1) the lack of immediate medical attention could result in:

(a) placing the person's health in jeopardy;

(b) serious impairment of bodily functions; or

(c) serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part; or

(2) a reasonable person believes that immediate medical attention is required;

D. "health benefit plan" means the health insurance policy or subscriber agreement between the covered person or the policyholder and the health care insurer which defines the covered services and benefit levels available;

E. "health care insurer" means any person who provides health insurance in this state. For the purposes of the Small Group Rate and Renewability Act [Chapter 59A, Article 23C NMSA 1978], "carrier" or "insurer" includes a licensed insurance company, a licensed fraternal benefit society, a prepaid hospital or medical service plan, a health maintenance organization, a nonprofit health care organization, a multiple employer welfare arrangement or any other person providing a plan of health insurance subject to state insurance regulation;

F. "health care provider" means providers of health care services licensed as required in this state;

G. "health care services" means services rendered or products sold by a health care provider within the scope of the provider's license. The term includes hospital, medical, surgical, dental, vision and pharmaceutical services or products;

H. "preferred provider" means a health care provider or group of providers who have contracted with a health care insurer to provide specified covered services to a covered person; and

I. "preferred provider arrangement" means a contract between or on behalf of the health care insurer and a preferred provider which complies with all the requirements of the Preferred Provider Arrangements Law.

History: 1978 Comp., § 59A-22A-3, enacted by Laws 1993, ch. 320, § 61.