| 6.__Insurer.__"Insurer" means an entity that is authorized to |
| write medical insurance or that provides medical insurance in |
| this State. For the purposes of this chapter, "insurer" includes |
| an insurance company, a nonprofit hospital and medical service |
| organization, a fraternal benefit society, a health maintenance |
| organization, a self-insurance arrangement that provides health |
| care benefits in this State to the extent allowed under the |
| federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, a 3rd- |
| party administrator, a multiple-employer welfare arrangement, |
| another entity providing medical insurance or health benefits |
| subject to state insurance regulation and a reinsurer that |
| reinsures health insurance in this State. |