1. An insurance company licensed in this state, or a health services corporation authorized to do business in this state, may directly or through a subsidiary or affiliate organize and operate a health maintenance organization under the provisions of sections 354.400 to 354.636 so long as they comply with the provisions of section 354.410 as applicable thereto. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, any two or more such insurance companies, health services corporations, or subsidiaries or affiliates thereof, may jointly organize and operate a health maintenance organization.

2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law pertaining to insurance and health services corporations to the contrary, an insurer or a health services 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 shall be deemed to constitute a permissible group under such laws. Among other things, under such contracts, the insurer or health services corporation may make benefit payments to health maintenance organizations for health care services rendered by providers.