§ 23-85-101 - Franchise plan -- Definition.
               	 		
23-85-101.    Franchise plan -- Definition.
    (a)  Accident and health insurance on a franchise plan is declared to be that form of accident and health insurance issued to:
      (1)  Five  (5) or more employees of any corporation, copartnership, or individual  employer or any governmental corporation, agency, or department thereof;  or
      (2)  Ten (10) or more members,  employees, or employees of members of any trade or professional  association or of a labor union or of any other association having had  an active existence for at least two (2) years when:
            (A)  The  association or union has a constitution or bylaws and is formed in good  faith for purposes other than that of obtaining insurance; and
            (B)  Such  persons, with or without their dependents, are issued the same form of  an individual policy varying only as to amounts and kinds of coverage  applied for by the persons under an arrangement whereby the premiums on  the policies may be paid to the insurer periodically by:
                  (i)  The employer, with or without payroll deductions;
                  (ii)  The association for its members; or
                  (iii)  Some designated person acting on behalf of the employer or association or union.
(b)  As  used in this section, the term "employees" may be deemed to include  officers, managers, and employees and retired employees of the employer  and the individual proprietor or partners if the employer is an  individual proprietor or partnership.