Any employer of more than 50 employees who offers a health maintenance organization, as defined in section 4202‑A, shall also offer its employees, at the time of offering and renewal of the health maintenance organization, the option of selecting alternative health benefits coverage that does not restrict the ability of the covered persons to obtain health care services from the providers of their choice.   [PL 1991, c. 709, §8 (AMD).]

Any employer subject to this section shall contribute to the alternative health benefits coverage to the same extent as it contributes to the health maintenance organization.   [PL 1985, c. 704, §8 (NEW).]

An employer may not be required to pay more for health benefits as a result of the application of this section than would otherwise be paid.   [PL 1991, c. 709, §8 (AMD).]

An employer may satisfy the requirements of this section by offering a point-of-service option but may not satisfy the requirements of this section by contributing to the cost of an individual health plan.   [PL 1997, c. 370, Pt. B, §4 (AMD).]