Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) COLORECTAL CANCER EXAMINATIONS. Examinations and laboratory tests specified in current American Cancer Society guidelines for colorectal cancer screening of asymptomatic individuals.

(2) HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN. A group health insurance policy that covers hospital, medical, or surgical expenses, health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, medical service organizations, physician-hospital organizations, or any other person, firm, corporation, joint venture, or other similar business entity that pays for, purchases, or furnishes health care services to patients, insureds, or beneficiaries in this state. For the purposes of this chapter, a health benefit plan located or domiciled outside of the State of Alabama is deemed to be subject to this chapter if it receives, processes, adjudicates, pays, or denies claims for health care services submitted by or on behalf of patients, insureds, or beneficiaries who reside in the State of Alabama or who receive health care services in the State of Alabama. The term includes, but is not limited to, entities created pursuant to Article 6, Chapter 20, Title 10A.

(3) POLICY. Any group health benefit plan, contract, or policy, except a disability income policy, and endorsements thereof, specified disease policy, or hospital indemnity policy.

(Act 2004-502, p. 969, §1.)