(a) The commissioner shall grant an exemption for affiliates of a contracting entity if the contracting entity holds a certificate of authority issued by the department to engage in the business of insurance in this state or is a health maintenance organization if the commissioner determines that:
(1) the affiliate is not subject to a disclaimer of affiliation under Chapter 823; and
(2) the relationships between the person who holds a certificate of authority and all affiliates of the person, including subsidiary networks or other networks, are disclosed and clearly defined.
(b) An exemption granted under this section applies only to registration. An entity granted an exemption is otherwise subject to this chapter.