(1) The purpose of this chapter is to establish uniform regulatory standards for health care benefit managers including, but not limited to, the processes and procedures for registration of health care benefit managers by the office of the insurance commissioner (commissioner).

(2) This chapter applies to all health care benefit managers except as otherwise expressly provided in this chapter. Health care benefit managers are responsible for compliance with the provisions of this chapter and are responsible for the compliance of any person or organization acting on behalf of or at the direction of the health care benefit manager, or acting pursuant to health care benefit manager standards or requirements. Carriers remain responsible for activities of health care benefit managers conducted on their behalf. A carrier may not offer as a defense to a violation of any provision of this chapter that the violation arose from the act or omission of a health care benefit manager or other person acting on behalf of or at the direction of a health care benefit manager.