The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Insurer." A foreign or domestic insurance company, association or exchange holding a certificate of authority under the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921; a health maintenance organization holding a certificate of authority under the act of December 29, 1972 (P.L.1701, No.364), known as the Health Maintenance Organization Act; a hospital plan organization holding a certificate of authority under 40 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 (relating to hospital plan corporations); a professional health services plan corporation holding a certificate of authority under 40 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63 (relating to professional health services plan corporations); a fraternal benefit society holding a certificate of authority under the act of December 14, 1992 (P.L.835, No.134), known as the Fraternal Benefit Societies Code; or a risk-assuming preferred provider organization operating pursuant to section 630 of The Insurance Company Law of 1921.

(Feb. 18, 1998, P.L.170, No.26, eff. imd.)

1998 Amendment. Act 26 added section 6160.

References in Text. The act of December 14, 1992, P.L.835, No.134, known as the Fraternal Benefit Societies Code, referred to in this section, was repealed by the act of July 10, 2002,P.L.749, No.110. The subject matter is now contained in Article XXIV of the act of May 17, 1921, P.L.682, No.284, known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921.