§ 5-16-8a

(a) The plan shall reimburse any air-ambulance provider that provides emergency air transportation or related emergency medical or treatment services to an employee or dependent of an employee covered by the plan the amount then in effect for the federal Medicare program, including any applicable Geographic Practice Cost Index. (b) Nothing in this section limits the authority of the director under §5-16-3(c) and §5-16-9 of this code, including, but not limited to, his or her authority to manage provider contracting and payments and to designate covered and noncovered services. (c) This section does not limit the authority of the director, the plan, or the plans under §5-16-11 of this code. (d) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, wherever 49 U.S.C. §41713(b) applies to the reimbursement of air ambulance providers under §5-16-8a of this code, the provisions of this code, including any administrative, civil, or criminal penalties, are inapplicable.