§ 26-22-101 — Reimbursement for health services provided by licensed practitioner or registered dietitian not to be denied

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of any medical service
contract or policy of disability insurance or certificate to the
contrary if a medical service contract or insurance policy or
certificate provides for reimbursement to the insured or
subscriber for health services, reimbursement in amounts
provided under the contract or insurance policy shall not be
denied if the services are rendered to the insured or subscriber
by a person licensed under the laws of this state to treat the
illness or disability or perform the health services covered by
the contract or policy. Nothing in this section prevents the
insured from contracting with the insurer for direct payment of
policy proceeds to the provider of health services.
(b) For purposes of reimbursements provided by subsection
(a) of this section for dietary services, a dietitian registered
with the commission on dietetic registration of the American
dietetic association shall be deemed a "person licensed" within
the meaning of subsection (a) and benefits otherwise provided by
the contract shall be provided. Nothing in this section shall
require a disability insurer to pay for services provided by a
dietitian or a registered dietitian unless otherwise provided as
a benefit in the contract or policy.