(a) On or after January 1, 1995, every health care service plan contract that provides hospital, medical, or surgical coverage, that is issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this state, shall include obstetrician-gynecologists as eligible primary care physicians, provided they meet the plan’s eligibility criteria for all specialists seeking primary care physician status.
(b) For purposes of this section, the term “primary care physician” means a physician, as defined in Section 14254 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, who has the responsibility for providing initial and primary care to patients, for maintaining the continuity of patient care, and for initiating referral for specialist care. This means providing care for the majority of health care problems, including, but not limited to, preventive services, acute and chronic conditions, and psychosocial issues.