(A) As used in this section, “physician” means any person who holds a valid license to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery issued under Chapter 4731 of the Revised Code.

(B) No health insuring corporation that, on or after July 1, 1993, enters into or renews a contract with the department of administrative services under section 124.82 of the Revised Code, because of a physician’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or military status as defined in section 4112.01 of the Revised Code, age, or ancestry, shall refuse to contract with that physician for the provision of health care services under section 124.82 of the Revised Code.

Any health insuring corporation that violates this division is deemed to have engaged in an unlawful discriminatory practice as defined in section 4112.02 of the Revised Code and is subject to Chapter 4112 of the Revised Code.

(C) Each health insuring corporation that, on or after July 1, 1993, enters into or renews a contract with the department of administrative services under section 124.82 of the Revised Code and that refuses to contract with a physician for the provision of health care services under that section shall provide that physician with a written notice that clearly explains the reason or reasons for the refusal. The notice shall be sent to the physician by regular mail within thirty days after the refusal.

Any health insuring corporation that fails to provide notice in compliance with this division is deemed to have engaged in an unfair and deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance as defined in section 3901.21 of the Revised Code and is subject to sections 3901.19 to 3901.26 of the Revised Code.