Section 43-1-19.1. Waiver of deductibles or copayments in health insurance plans; deceptive or misleading advertising

   (a) For the purposes of applicable provisions of Code Section 43-1-19, it shall be considered a deceptive or misleading practice for any person duly licensed and authorized to provide any type of health care services to advertise, as an inducement to attract patients, the waiver of a deductible or copayment required to be made to such person under the patient's health insurance policy or plan.

(b) This Code section shall not apply to nonprofit community health centers which primarily serve indigent patients.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law of this Code to the contrary, it shall not be considered a misleading, fraudulent, or deceptive act for a provider to waive occasionally such a deductible or copayment required to be made under the patient's health insurance contract, policy, or plan if the waiver is authorized by the insurer or if the waiver is based on an evaluation of the individual patient and is not a regular business practice of the person providing the health care services.

Code 1981, § 43-1-19.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1992, p. 2488, § 1.