A.__The sharing, allocation or referral of patients, personnel, instructional programs, medical or mental health services, support services or facilities or medical, diagnostic or laboratory facilities, procedures or other services traditionally offered by hospitals or health care providers;

B.__The coordinated negotiation and contracting with payors or employers; or

C.__ The merger of 2 or more hospitals or 2 or more health care providers.

A cooperative agreement under this chapter is an agreement between 2 or more hospitals or an agreement between 2 or more health care providers.__An agreement between one or more hospitals and one or more health care providers is not a cooperative agreement for the purposes of this chapter.

2.__Covered entity.__"Covered entity" means a hospital or health care provider.

3.__Health care provider. "Health care provider" means a licensed community mental health services provider, a physician licensed under Title 32, chapter 36 or 48 and operating in this State or a corporation or business entity engaged primarily in the provision of physician health care services.

4.__Hospital. "Hospital" means:

A. An acute care institution licensed and operating in this State as a hospital under section 1811 or the parent of such an institution; or

B. A hospital subsidiary or hospital affiliate in the State that provides medical services or medically related diagnostic and laboratory services or engages in ancillary activities supporting those services.

5.__Merger. "Merger" means a transaction by which ownership or control over substantially all of the stock, assets or activities of one or more covered entities is placed under the control of another covered entity.__A merger between one or more hospitals and one or more health care providers is not a merger for the purposes of this chapter.