AS 21.86.170: Powers of insurers and of hospital or medical service corporations.

(a) An insurer licensed in this state, or a hospital or medical service corporation authorized to do business in this state, may, either directly or through a subsidiary or affiliate, organize and operate a health maintenance organization under the provisions of this chapter. Two or more insurance companies, hospitals or medical service corporations, or subsidiaries or affiliates of them, may jointly organize and operate a health maintenance organization. The business of insurance is considered to include providing health care by a health maintenance organization owned or operated by an insurer or subsidiary of an insurer.

(b) An insurer or hospital or medical service corporation may contract with a health maintenance organization to provide insurance or similar protection against the cost of care provided through a health maintenance organization and to provide coverage in the event of the failure of the health maintenance organization to meet its obligations. The enrollees of a health maintenance organization constitute a permissible group under this title. Under a contract authorized by this subsection, the insurer or hospital or medical service corporation may make benefit payments to health maintenance organizations for health care services rendered by providers.