a. An insurance company licensed in this State, or a hospital or medical service corporation authorized to do business in this State, may either directly or through a subsidiary or affiliate organize and operate a health maintenance organization under the provisions of this act. Notwithstanding any other law which may be inconsistent herewith, any two or more such insurance companies, hospital or medical service corporations, or subsidiaries or affiliates thereof, may jointly organize and operate a health maintenance organization.

b. Notwithstanding any provision of Title 17 of the Revised Statutes and Title 17B of the New Jersey Statutes, an insurer or a hospital or medical service corporation may contract with a health maintenance organization to provide insurance or protection against the cost of care furnished through health maintenance organizations and to provide coverage in the event of the failure of health maintenance organization to meet its obligations. The enrollees of a health maintenance organization constitute a permissible group under such laws. Among other things, under such contracts, the insurer or hospital or medical service corporation may make benefit payments to health maintenance organizations for health care services rendered by providers.

L.1973, c. 337, s. 17, eff. Dec. 27, 1973.