3. a. An organized delivery system which is not subject to licensure requirements pursuant to this act shall submit an application for certification to the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance. The organized delivery system may continue to operate during the pendency of its application, but in no case longer than 12 months after the date of submission of the application to the Department of Banking and Insurance, unless the commissioner, by regulation, extends the 12-month limitation. In the event the application is denied, the applicant shall be treated as an organized delivery system whose certification has been revoked pursuant to sections 7 and 8 of this act.
Notwithstanding the obligations imposed by this act regarding certification requirements, nothing in this subsection shall operate to impair any contract in force on the effective date of this act, but this act shall apply to any contract renewed on or after the effective date of this act.
b. The certification shall be valid for a period of three years.
c. A certified organized delivery system shall not directly issue health benefits plans.