§ 17B:27D-2 — Definitions relative to mandated health benefits

2. As used in this act: "Carrier" means an insurance company, health service corporation, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation or health maintenance organization authorized to issue health benefits plans in this State. "Commission" means the Mandated Health Benefits Advisory Commission established pursuant to this act. "Health benefits plan" means a benefits plan which pays or provides hospital and medical expense benefits for covered services, and is delivered or issued for delivery in this State by or through a carrier. For the purposes of this act, health benefits plan shall not include the following plans, policies or contracts: accident only, credit, disability, long-term care, coverage arising out of a workers' compensation or similar law, automobile medical payment insurance, personal injury protection insurance issued pursuant to P.L.1972, c.70 (C.39:6A-1 et seq.) or hospital confinement indemnity coverage. "Mandated health benefit" or "mandate" means: a benefit or coverage that is required by law to be provided by a carrier and includes: coverage for specific health care services, treatments or practices; or direct reimbursement to specific health care providers. L.2003,c.193,s.2.