A. Blanket accident and health insurance is hereby declared to be that form of accident and health insurance covering special groups of persons as enumerated in one of the following paragraphs (1) to (7) inclusive:

1. Under a policy or contract issued to any common carrier, which shall be deemed the policyholder, covering a group defined as all persons who may become passengers on such common carrier.

2. Under a policy or contract issued to an employer, who shall be deemed the policyholder, covering all employees or any group of employees defined by reference to exceptional hazards incident to such employment. Dependents of the employees and guests of the employer may also be included where exposed to the same hazards.

3. Under a policy or contract issued to a college, school, or other institution of learning or to the head or principal thereof, who or which shall be deemed the policyholder, covering students or teachers.

4. Under a policy or contract issued in the name of any volunteer fire department, first aid, or other such volunteer group, or agency having jurisdiction thereof, which shall be deemed the policyholder, covering all of the members of such fire department or group.

5. Under a policy or contract issued to a creditor, who shall be deemed the policyholder, to insure debtors of the creditor.

6. Under a policy or contract issued to a sports team or to a camp or sponsor thereof, which shall be deemed the policyholder, covering members or campers.

7. Under a policy or contract issued to any other substantially similar group which, in the discretion of the Insurance Commissioner, may be subject to the issuance of a blanket accident and health policy or contract.

B. An individual application need not be required from a person covered under a blanket accident and health policy or contract, nor shall it be necessary for the insurer to furnish each person a certificate.

C. All benefits under any blanket accident and health policy shall be payable to the person insured, or to his designated beneficiary or beneficiaries, or to his estate, except that if the person insured be a minor, such benefits may be made payable to his parent, guardian, or other person actually supporting him; except, that the policy may provide that subject to any written direction of the insured in the application or otherwise, all or any portion of any indemnities provided by any such policy on account of hospital, nursing, medical or surgical services may, at the insurer's option and unless the insured requests otherwise not later than the time of filing proofs of such loss, be paid directly to the hospital or person rendering such services, but the policy may not require that the service be rendered by a particular hospital or person. Payments so made shall discharge the insurer's obligation with respect to the amount of insurance so paid.

D. Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to affect the legal liability of policyholders for the death of or injury to any such member of such group.

Laws 1957, p. 399, § 4504.