A disability insurer that offers or provides coverage for any services that are legally within the scope of the practice of podiatric medicine, as defined in § 2472 of the Business and Professions Code, as a specific plan benefit or otherwise, shall not refuse to give reasonable consideration to negotiating contracts with or affiliation with podiatrists for the provision of service solely on the basis that they are podiatrists.

(Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 981, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 1993.)