Sec. 18. (a) This section applies to an action based on fault that is brought by the claimant against:
(1) one (1) or more defendants who are qualified health care providers under IC 34-18; and
(2) one (1) or more defendants who are not qualified health care providers.
(b) Upon application of the claimant, the trial court shall grant reasonable delays in the action brought against those defendants who are not qualified health care providers until the medical review panel procedure can be completed as to the qualified health care providers.
(c) When an action is permitted to be filed against the qualified health care providers, the trial court shall permit a joinder of the qualified health care providers as additional defendants in the action on file against the nonhealth care providers.