(a) The department may enter into primary care case management contracts pursuant to this article with any health care service plan that is licensed by the Director of the Department of Managed Health Care pursuant to the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 (Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code).

The terms of the contracts entered into pursuant to this section shall be exempt from those provisions of Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code that regulate health care service plan contracts. Nothing in this section shall preclude the Director of the Department of Managed Health Care from otherwise regulating a health care service plan subject to the Knox-Keene Health Service Plan Act of 1975 (Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code).