AVAILABILITY OF PREFERRED PROVIDERS; SERVICE AREA LIMITATIONS.

(a) An insurer offering a preferred provider benefit plan shall ensure that both preferred provider benefits and basic level benefits, including benefits for emergency care, as defined by Section 1301.155, and post-emergency stabilization care, are reasonably available to all insureds within a designated service area. This subsection does not apply to an exclusive provider benefit plan.

(b) If services are not available through a preferred provider within a designated service area under a preferred provider benefit plan or an exclusive provider benefit plan, an insurer shall reimburse a physician or health care provider who is not a preferred provider at the same percentage level of reimbursement as a preferred provider would have been reimbursed had the insured been treated by a preferred provider.

(c) Subsection (b) does not require reimbursement at a preferred level of coverage solely because an insured resides out of the service area and chooses to receive services from a provider other than a preferred provider for the insured's own convenience.

(d) A service area, other than a statewide service area, may include noncontiguous geographic areas but may not divide a county.