(1) An insurer may negotiate and enter into contracts for alternative rates of payment with providers to provide services covered by a group health insurance policy and may offer the benefit of such alternative rates to insureds who select such providers. An insurer may utilize such contracts by offering a choice of plans at the time an insured enrolls, one of which provides benefits only for services by members of a particular provider organization with whom the insurer has an agreement. If an insured chooses such a plan, benefits are payable only for services rendered by a member of that provider organization, unless such services were requested by a member of such organization or are rendered as the result of an emergency.

(2) Benefits paid by an insurer to a provider under subsection (1) of this section shall discharge the insurer’s obligation with respect to the amount of insurance so paid.

(3) Insurers shall provide group policyholders with a current roster of institutional and professional providers under contract to provide services at alternative rates under their group policy and shall also make such lists available for public inspection during regular business hours at the insurer’s principal office within this state. [Formerly 743.531]