The following words and phrases used in this chapter, and others evidently intended as the equivalent thereof, shall, in the absence of clear implication otherwise, be given the following respective interpretations herein:

(1) ALCOHOLISM. A chronic disorder or illness in which the individual is unable, for psychological or physical reasons, or both, to refrain from the frequent consumption of alcohol in quantities sufficient to produce intoxication and, ultimately, injury to health and effective functioning.

(2) DETOXIFICATION. Supervised physical withdrawal from alcohol.

(3) INPATIENT TREATMENT FOR ALCOHOLISM. Care provided in a licensed hospital and is normally limited to detoxification where severe medical or psychiatric complications are present or may be anticipated.

(4) SHORT TERM RESIDENTIAL ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT FACILITY. A state certified facility which provides structured programs of intensive treatment services for people addicted to alcohol. Services may include supervised withdrawal from alcohol, backup emergency medical services for persons whose physical condition necessitates medical care, psychological and social evaluation, nutritional stabilization through proper dietary service, individual counseling, family counseling and referral to other providers who can provide additional services for continuity of care, aftercare and followup.

(5) OUTPATIENT TREATMENT. Treatment rendered in a nonresidential setting and using an intermittent, periodic schedule of visits.

No group, blanket, franchise or association health insurance policy providing coverage on an expense incurred basis, nor group, blanket, franchise or association service or indemnity type contract issued by a nonprofit corporation, nor group-type self insurance plan providing protection, insurance or indemnity against hospital, medical or surgical expenses, nor health maintenance organization plan shall be issued, delivered, executed or renewed in this state, or approved for issuance or renewal in this state by the Commissioner of Insurance after 90 days beyond the effective date of this chapter, unless such policy, contract or plan, at the option of the policyholder or sponsor, provides benefits to any insured, subscriber or other person covered under the policy, contract or plan for expenses incurred in connection with the treatment of alcoholism when such treatment is prescribed by a duly licensed doctor of medicine.

The benefits to be offered under this chapter shall include inpatient or residential treatment rendered to the insured, subscriber or other person covered, at a state licensed hospital or at a short term residential alcoholism treatment facility or detoxification facility duly licensed or certified as such by the Alabama Board of Health or the Alabama Mental Health Board. Benefits shall also include outpatient treatment rendered to the insured, subscriber or other person covered, by a duly licensed doctor of medicine or by an alcoholism treatment facility duly licensed or certified as such by the Alabama Board of Health or the Alabama Mental Health Board.

When benefits are provided under this chapter, the benefits shall provide for a minimum of 30 days of inpatient treatment or its equivalent per calendar year with the equivalency to be computed based on a formula which equates two days of treatment in a short term residential alcoholism treatment facility to one day of inpatient treatment and which equates three sessions of outpatient treatment by a licensed doctor of medicine or an alcoholism treatment facility to one day of inpatient treatment.