(a) As an alternative to an exclusion permitted by Section 10176, a disability insurance policy may provide that services of a registered dietitian or other nutrition professional meeting the qualifications prescribed by subdivision (a) or (e) of § 2585 of the Business and Professions Code will be paid only if rendered pursuant to a method of treatment prescribed by a person holding a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate issued by the Medical Board of California.

(b) Nothing in this section requires disability insurers to automatically pay for services provided by a registered dietitian or other nutrition professional.

(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 628, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2002.)