For the purpose of computing the amount of reimbursement for professional services under the State Medicaid Program, all localities in the State of South Carolina shall be deemed "similar" by virtue of being within the State’s boundaries and the amount of reimbursement for similar services rendered by professionals within the same specialty of medical or dental practice shall be equal regardless of place of residence or place of practice, so long as the place of practice is within the boundaries of the State of South Carolina. No agency of the State shall reimburse professionals, or cause professionals to be reimbursed, at rates of payment which vary as a result of geographic locations.