376.1075.  Definitions. — As used in sections 376.1075 to 376.1095, the following terms mean:

  (1)  "Administrator", "third-party administrator" or "TPA", a person who directly or indirectly solicits or effects coverage of, underwrites, collects charges or premiums from, or adjusts or settles claims on residents of this state, or residents of another state from offices in this state, in connection with life or health insurance coverage, annuities, or workers' compensation except any of the following:

  (a)  An employer on behalf of its employees or the employees of one or more subsidiary or affiliated corporations of such employer;

  (b)  A union on behalf of its members;

  (c)  An insurance company which is either licensed in this state pursuant to the requirements of this chapter or chapter 379;

  (d)  An insurer authorized to do insurance business in another state pursuant to similar laws, with respect to a policy lawfully issued and delivered in a state other than this state, when engaged in transacting the business of insurance as defined by this chapter and chapter 379;

  (e)  A health service corporation, health maintenance organization or prepaid dental plan operating pursuant to the requirements of chapter 354, when engaged in its duties of providing health care or dental services and indemnifying its members;

  (f)  A life or health agent or broker licensed in this state, whose activities are limited exclusively to the sale of insurance;

  (g)  A creditor on behalf of its debtors with respect to insurance covering a debt between the creditor and its debtors;

  (h)  A trust, its trustees, agents and employees acting thereunder, established in conformity with 29 U.S.C. 186;

  (i)  A trust exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, its trustees, and employees acting thereunder;

  (j)  A custodian, its agents and employees acting pursuant to a custodian account which meets the requirements of Section 401(f) of the Internal Revenue Code;

  (k)  A bank, credit union or other financial institution which is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state banking authorities;

  (l)  A credit card issuing company which advances for and collects premiums or charges from its credit card holders who have authorized it to do so, provided such company does not adjust or settle claims;

  (m)  A person who adjusts or settles claims in the normal course of his or her practice or employment as an attorney at law, and who does not collect charges or premiums in connection with life or health insurance coverage or annuities;

  (n)  An adjuster whose activities are limited to adjustment of claims and who is either licensed by this state or working on behalf of a licensed workers' compensation insurer;

  (o)  A person licensed as an insurance agent in this state, whose activities are limited exclusively to the activities of a managing general agent;

  (2)  "Affiliate" or "affiliated", any entity or person who directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, a specified entity or person;

  (3)  "Control", as defined in chapter 382;

  (4)  "Director", the director of the department of commerce and insurance;

  (5)  "Insurance" or "insurance coverage", any coverage offered or provided by an insurer;

  (6)  "Insurer", any person undertaking to provide life or health insurance coverage, annuities or workers' compensation coverage in this state.  For the purposes of sections 376.1075 to 376.1095, insurer includes a licensed insurance company, a prepaid hospital or medical care plan, a health maintenance organization, a multiple employer self-insured health plan, a self-insured multiple employer welfare arrangement, or any other person providing a plan of insurance subject to state insurance regulation.  Insurer does not include a bona fide employee benefit plan established by an employer or an employee organization, or both, for which the insurance laws of this state are preempted pursuant to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974;

  (7)  "Underwrites" or "underwriting" means, but is not limited to, the acceptance of employer or individual applications for coverage of individuals in accordance with the written rules of the insurer, the overall planning and coordinating of an insurance program, and the ability to procure bonds and excess insurance.