Powers of insurers.

A. An authorized insurer may either directly or through a subsidiary or affiliate organize and operate a health maintenance organization under the provisions of the Health Maintenance Organization Law. Notwithstanding any other law that may be inconsistent with the cited law, any two or more such insurance companies, or subsidiaries or affiliates thereof, may jointly organize and operate a health maintenance organization. The business of insurance is deemed to include the providing of health care by a health maintenance organization owned or operated by an insurer or a subsidiary thereof. B. An authorized insurer may contract with a health maintenance organization to provide insurance or similar protection against the cost of care provided through health maintenance organizations and to provide coverage in the event of the failure of the health maintenance organization to meet its obligations. Among other things, under such contracts the insurer may make benefit payments to health maintenance organizations for health care services rendered by providers.