A health benefit plan issued to an association or a bona fide association is considered a group product, and shall comply with the statutes and regulations applicable to coverages and benefits relating to group products. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subchapter to the contrary, health carriers other than HMOs that offer health benefit plans to associations that are not bona fide associations may decline, restrict, limit, exclude or rate-up coverage based upon a member's health status-related factors.