(1) An insurance company licensed in this state or a hospital or medical service corporation authorized to do business in this state, after applying for and receiving a certificate of authority as a health maintenance organization, may through a subsidiary or affiliate organize and operate a health maintenance organization under the provisions of this article. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, any two or more insurance companies, hospital or medical service corporations, or subsidiaries or affiliates thereof, may jointly organize and operate a health maintenance organization. The business of insurance is considered to include the providing of health care by a health maintenance organization owned or operated by an insurer or a subsidiary thereof.

(2) Notwithstanding any provision of insurance and hospital or medical service corporation laws, an insurer or a hospital or medical service corporation may contract with a health maintenance organization to provide insurance or similar protection against the cost of care provided through health maintenance organizations and to provide coverage in the event of the failure of the health maintenance organization to meet its obligations. The enrollees of a health maintenance organization constitute a permissible group under such laws. Among other things, under the contracts, the insurer or hospital or medical service corporation may make benefit payments to health maintenance organizations for health care services rendered by providers.