(a)  This chapter applies to any health benefit plan that provides coverage to the employees of a small employer in this state, whether issued directly by a carrier or through a trust, association, or other intermediary, and regardless of issuance or delivery of the policy, if any of the following conditions are met:

(1)  Any portion of the premium or benefits is paid by or on behalf of the small employer;

(2)  An eligible employee or dependent is reimbursed, whether through wage adjustments or otherwise, by or on behalf of the small employer for any portion of the premium;

(3)  The health benefit plan is treated by the employer or any of the eligible employees or dependents as part of a plan or program for the purposes of Section 162, Section 125, or Section 106 of the United States Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § 162, 125, or 106; or

(4)  The health benefit plan is marketed to individual employees through an employer.

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(b)(1)  Except as provided in subsection (b)(2) of this section, for the purposes of this chapter, carriers that are affiliated companies or that are eligible to file a consolidated tax return shall be treated as one carrier and any restrictions or limitations imposed by this chapter shall apply as if all health benefit plans delivered or issued for delivery to small employers in this state by the affiliated carriers were issued by one carrier.

(2)  An affiliated carrier that is a health maintenance organization having a license under chapter 41 of this title or a health maintenance organization as defined in chapter 62 of Title 42 may be considered to be a separate carrier for the purposes of this chapter.

(3)  Unless otherwise authorized by the director, a small employer carrier shall not enter into one or more ceding arrangements with respect to health benefit plans delivered or issued for delivery to small employers in this state if those arrangements would result in less than fifty percent (50%) of the insurance obligation or risk for the health benefit plans being retained by the ceding carrier. The department of business regulation’s statutory provisions under this title shall apply if a small employer carrier cedes or assumes all of the insurance obligation or risk with respect to one or more health benefit plans delivered or issued for delivery to small employers in this state.