(a) Every health care service plan that covers hospital, medical or surgical expenses and which is not qualified as a health maintenance organization under Title XIII of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300e, et seq.) shall make available and offer to include in every group contract entered into on or after January 1, 1979, benefits for home health care as set forth in this section provided by a licensed home health agency subject to the right of the subscriber group to reject the benefits or to select any alternative level of benefits as may be offered by the health care service plan. In rural areas where there are no licensed home health agencies or in which the supply of home health agency services does not meet the needs of the community, the services of visiting nurses, if available, shall be offered under the health care service plan subject to the terms and conditions set forth in subdivision (b).