(1) As used in this section:

(a) "Insurer" means an insurer as defined in s. 624.03 or a multiple-employer welfare arrangement as defined in s. 624.437.

(b) "Preferred provider" means any licensed health care provider with which the insurer has directly or indirectly contracted for an alternative or a reduced rate of payment, which shall include any health care provider listed in s. 627.419(3) and (4) and shall provide reasonable access to such health care providers.

(c) "Preferred provider network" means a group of licensed health care providers with each of which the insurer has directly or indirectly contracted for alternative or reduced rates of payment. If an insurer negotiates with providers practicing as a group, the insurer may contract with the group.

(2) Any insurer issuing a policy of health insurance in this state, which insurance includes coverage for the services of a preferred provider, must provide each policyholder and certificateholder with a current list of preferred providers and must make the list available for public inspection during regular business hours at the principal office of the insurer within the state.

(3) A policy may limit payments regardless of the providers chosen by an insured and may offer alternative or reduced rates to an insured who selects preferred providers.

(4) Any policy that provides schedules of payments for services provided by preferred providers that differ from the schedules of payments for services provided by nonpreferred providers is subject to the following limitations:

(a) The amount of any annual deductible per covered person or per family for treatment in a facility that is not a preferred provider may not exceed four times the amount of a corresponding annual deductible for treatment in a facility that is a preferred provider.

(b) If the policy has no deductible for treatment in a preferred provider facility, the deductible for treatment received in a facility that is not a preferred provider facility may not exceed $500 per covered person per visit.

(c) The amount of any annual deductible per covered person or per family for treatment, other than inpatient treatment, by a provider that is not a preferred provider may not exceed four times the amount of a corresponding annual deductible for treatment, other than inpatient treatment, by a preferred provider.

(d) If the policy has no deductible for treatment by a preferred provider, the annual deductible for treatment received from a provider which is not a preferred provider shall not exceed $500 per covered person.

(e) The percentage amount of any coinsurance to be paid by an insured to a provider that is not a preferred provider may not exceed by more than 50 percentage points the percentage amount of any coinsurance payment to be paid to a preferred provider.

(f) The amount of any deductible and payment of coinsurance paid by the insured must be applied to the reduced charge negotiated between the insurer and the preferred provider.

(g) Notwithstanding the limitations of deductibles and coinsurance provisions in this section, an insurer may require the insured to pay a reasonable copayment per visit for inpatient or outpatient services.