Section 10-428 - Internal grievance procedure.
§ 10-428. Internal grievance procedure.
(a) In general.- A provider shall establish an internal grievance procedure to address a subscriber's grievance.
(b) Procedure.- The internal grievance procedure shall at least:
(1) allow a subscriber or group of subscribers collectively to submit a written grievance to the provider;
(2) require the provider to send a written acknowledgment to the subscriber within 5 days after receipt of the written grievance;
(3) require the provider to assign personnel to investigate the grievance;
(4) give a subscriber who files a written grievance the right to meet with management of the provider within 30 days after receipt of the written grievance to present the subscriber's grievance; and
(5) require the provider to respond within 45 days after receipt of the written grievance regarding the investigation and resolution of the grievance.
(c) Mediation.-
(1) Within 30 days after the conclusion of an internal grievance procedure established under this section, a subscriber or provider may seek mediation through one of the Community Mediation Centers in the State or another mediation provider.
(2) If a provider or subscriber seeks mediation under paragraph (1) of this subsection:
(i) The mediation shall be nonbinding; and
(ii) The provider and subscriber may not be represented by counsel.
[An. Code 1957, art. 70B, § 11G; 2007, ch. 3, § 2; 2009, ch. 694.]