Section 62Q.73 External Review of Adverse Determinations
62Q.73 EXTERNAL REVIEW OF ADVERSE DETERMINATIONS.
Subdivision 1.Definition.
For purposes of this section, "adverse determination" means:
(1) a complaint decision relating to a health care service or claim that has been appealed in accordance with section 62Q.70 and the appeal decision is partially or wholly adverse to the complainant;
(2) any initial determination not to certify that has been appealed in accordance with section 62M.06 and the appeal did not reverse the initial determination not to certify; or
(3) a decision relating to a health care service made by a health plan company licensed under chapter 60A that denies the service on the basis that the service was not medically necessary.
An adverse determination does not include complaints relating to fraudulent marketing practices or agent misrepresentation.
Subd. 2.Exception.
(a) This section does not apply to governmental programs except as permitted under paragraph (b). For purposes of this subdivision, "governmental programs" means the prepaid medical assistance program, the MinnesotaCare program, the prepaid general assistance medical care program, the demonstration project for people with disabilities, and the federal Medicare program.
(b) In the course of a recipient's appeal of a medical determination to the commissioner of human services under section 256.045, the recipient may request an expert medical opinion be arranged by the external review entity under contract to provide independent external reviews under this section. If such a request is made, the cost of the review shall be paid by the commissioner of human services. Any medical opinion obtained under this paragraph shall only be used by a state human services referee as evidence in the recipient's appeal to the commissioner of human services under section 256.045.
(c) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to limit or restrict the appeal rights provided in section 256.045 for governmental program recipients.
Subd. 3.Right to external review.
(a) Any enrollee or anyone acting on behalf of an enrollee who has received an adverse determination may submit a written request for an external review of the adverse determination, if applicable under section 62Q.68, subdivision 1, or 62M.06, to the commissioner of health if the request involves a health plan company regulated by that commissioner or to the commissioner of commerce if the request involves a health plan company regulated by that commissioner. Notification of the enrollee's right to external review must accompany the denial issued by the insurer. The written request must be accompanied by a filing fee of $25. The fee may be waived by the commissioner of health or commerce in cases of financial hardship.
(b) Nothing in this section requires the commissioner of health or commerce to independently investigate an adverse determination referred for independent external review.
(c) If an enrollee requests an external review, the health plan company must participate in the external review. The cost of the external review in excess of the filing fee described in paragraph (a) shall be borne by the health plan company.
Subd. 4.Contract.
Pursuant to a request for proposal, the commissioner of administration, in consultation with the commissioners of health and commerce, shall contract with an organization or business entity to provide independent external reviews of all adverse determinations submitted for external review. The contract shall ensure that the fees for services rendered in connection with the reviews be reasonable.
Subd. 5.Criteria.
(a) The request for proposal must require that the entity demonstrate:
(1) no conflicts of interest in that it is not owned, a subsidiary of, or affiliated with a health plan company or utilization review organization;
(2) an expertise in dispute resolution;
(3) an expertise in health-related law;
(4) an ability to conduct reviews using a variety of alternative dispute resolution procedures depending upon the nature of the dispute;
(5) an ability to provide data to the commissioners of health and commerce on reviews conducted; and
(6) an ability to ensure confidentiality of medical records and other enrollee information.
(b) The commissioner of administration shall take into consideration, in awarding the contract according to subdivision 4, any national accreditation standards that pertain to an external review entity.
Subd. 6.Process.
(a) Upon receiving a request for an external review, the external review entity must provide immediate notice of the review to the enrollee and to the health plan company. Within ten business days of receiving notice of the review, the health plan company and the enrollee must provide the external review entity with any information that they wish to be considered. Each party shall be provided an opportunity to present its version of the facts and arguments. An enrollee may be assisted or represented by a person of the enrollee's choice.
(b) As part of the external review process, any aspect of an external review involving a medical determination must be performed by a health care professional with expertise in the medical issue being reviewed.
(c) An external review shall be made as soon as practical but in no case later than 40 days after receiving the request for an external review and must promptly send written notice of the decision and the reasons for it to the enrollee, the health plan company, and the commissioner who is responsible for regulating the health plan company.
Subd. 7.Standards of review.
(a) For an external review of any issue in an adverse determination that does not require a medical necessity determination, the external review must be based on whether the adverse determination was in compliance with the enrollee's health benefit plan.
(b) For an external review of any issue in an adverse determination by a health plan company licensed under chapter 62D that requires a medical necessity determination, the external review must determine whether the adverse determination was consistent with the definition of medically necessary care in Minnesota Rules, part 4685.0100, subpart 9b.
(c) For an external review of any issue in an adverse determination by a health plan company, other than a health plan company licensed under chapter 62D, that requires a medical necessity determination, the external review must determine whether the adverse determination was consistent with the definition of medically necessary care in section 62Q.53, subdivision 2.
Subd. 8.Effects of external review.
A decision rendered under this section shall be nonbinding on the enrollee and binding on the health plan company. The health plan company may seek judicial review of the decision on the grounds that the decision was arbitrary and capricious or involved an abuse of discretion.
Subd. 9.Immunity from civil liability.
A person who participates in an external review by investigating, reviewing materials, providing technical expertise, or rendering a decision shall not be civilly liable for any action that is taken in good faith, that is within the scope of the person's duties, and that does not constitute willful or reckless misconduct.
Subd. 10.Data reporting.
The commissioners shall make available to the public, upon request, summary data on the decisions rendered under this section, including the number of reviews heard and decided and the final outcomes. Any data released to the public must not individually identify the enrollee initiating the request for external review.
History:
1999 c 239 s 39; 2000 c 474 s 2; 2001 c 215 s 27