§ 26.1-17-19 — Effects of health service contracts

The issuance of a health service contract by a health service corporation to a subscriber
does not create the relationship of hospital and patient, physician and patient, dentist and
patient, practitioner and patient, or any other similar relationship between the corporation and
the subscriber. The subscriber at all times has the right to select any participating hospital,

physician, oral surgeon, dentist, practitioner, or health service provider, subject to the terms and
conditions of the contract. An employee, agent, officer, or member of the board of directors of
any such corporation may not influence or attempt to influence any subscriber in the choosing
and selecting of the hospital, physician, oral surgeon, dentist, practitioner, or other health
service provider who is to care for or treat the subscriber. A civil action arising out of the
relationship of hospital and patient, physician and patient, dentist and patient, practitioner and
patient, or health service provider and patient may not be maintained against any health service
corporation governed by this chapter. A participating practitioner has the right to engage in other
practice.