As used in this subchapter, “third-party administrator”:
(1) Means a person, firm, or partnership that collects or charges premiums from or adjusts or settles claims on residents of this state in connection with life or accident and health coverage provided by a self-insured plan or a multiple-employer trust or multiple-employer-welfare arrangement;
(2) Includes an administrative-services-only contract offered by insurers and health maintenance organizations; and
(3) Does not include: An employer, for its employees or for the employees of a subsidiary or affiliated corporation of the employer;
(4) A union, for its members;
(5) An insurer or health maintenance organization licensed to do business in this state;
(6) A creditor, for its debtors, regarding insurance covering a debt between the creditor and its debtors;
(7) A credit-card-issuing company that advances for, or collects premiums or charges from, its credit card holders, as long as that company does not adjust or settle claims;
(8) An individual who adjusts or settles claims in the normal course of his or her practice or employment and who does not collect charges or premiums in connection with life or accident and health coverage; or
(9) An agency licensed by the Insurance Commissioner and performing duties pursuant to an agency contract with an insurer authorized to do business in this state.