As used in this article, the term:

(1) "Emergency condition" means any medical condition of a recent onset and severity, including but not limited to severe pain that would lead a prudent layperson, possessing an average knowledge of medicine and health, to believe that his or her condition, sickness, or injury is of such a nature that failure to obtain immediate medical care could result in:

(A) Placing the patient's health in serious jeopardy;

(B) Serious impairment to bodily functions; or

(C) Serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part.

(2) "Emergency medical provider" means any hospital licensed or permitted by the Georgia Department of Human Resources, hospital based service, or physician licensed by the Composite State Board of Medical Examiners who provides emergency services.

(3) "Emergency services" means health care services provided in a hospital emergency facility to evaluate and treat any emergency condition.

(4) "Prospective authorization" means contacting for approval or authorization to evaluate and treat a patient any insurer, health maintenance organization, hospital medical service corporation, or health benefit plan, a representative of which is not physically present in the hospital's emergency department at the time such patient presents for emergency services.