You should state the reason why you feel your appeal should be approved and include any information supporting your appeal. If you are unable or choose not to write, you may ask Cigna to register your appeal by telephone. Call or write us at the toll-free number on your ID card, explanation of benefits, or claim form. Your appeal will be reviewed and the decision made by someone not involved in the initial decision. Appeals involving Medical Necessity or clinical appropriateness will be considered by a health care professional. We will respond in writing with a decision within 30 calendar days after we receive an appeal for a required preservice or concurrent care coverage determination or a postservice Medical Necessity determination. We will respond within 60 calendar days after we receive an appeal for any other postservice coverage determination. If more time or information is needed to make the determination, we will notify you in writing to request an extension of up to 15 calendar days and to specify any additional information needed to complete the review. You may request that the appeal process be expedited if the time frames under this process would seriously jeopardize your life, health or ability to regain maximum functionality or in the opinion of your health care provider would cause you severe pain which cannot be managed without the requested services. When an appeal is expedited, Cigna will respond orally with a decision within 72 hours, followed up in writing. External Review Procedure If you are not fully satisfied with the decision of Cigna's internal appeal review regarding your Medical Necessity or clinical appropriateness issue, you may request that your appeal be referred to an Independent Review Organization (IRO). The IRO is composed of persons who are not employed by Cigna, or any of its affiliates. A decision to request an external review to an IRO will not affect the claimant's rights to any other benefits under the plan. There is no charge for you to initiate an external review. Cigna and your benefit plan will abide by the decision of the IRO. In order to request a referral to an IRO, the reason for the denial must be based on a Medical Necessity or clinical appropriateness determination by Cigna. Administrative, eligibility or benefit coverage limits or exclusions are not eligible for appeal under this process. To request a review, you must notify the Appeals Coordinator within 4 months of your receipt of Cigna's appeal review denial. Cigna will then forward the file to a randomly selected IRO. The IRO will render an opinion within 30 days.
When requested and when a delay would be detrimental to your medical condition, as determined by Cigna’s reviewer, the external review shall be completed within 3 days. Notice of Benefit Determination on Appeal Every notice of a determination on appeal will be provided in writing or electronically and, if an adverse determination, will include: the specific reason or reasons for the adverse determination; reference to the specific plan provisions on which the determination is based; a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records, and other Relevant Information as defined below; a statement describing any voluntary appeal procedures offered by the plan and the claimant's right to bring an action under ERISA section 502(a), if applicable; upon request and free of charge, a copy of any internal rule, guideline, protocol or other similar criterion that was relied upon in making the adverse determination regarding your appeal, and an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for a determination that is based on a Medical Necessity, experimental treatment or other similar exclusion or limit. You also have the right to bring a civil action under section 502(a) of ERISA if you are not satisfied with the decision on review. You or your plan may have other voluntary alternative dispute resolution options such as Mediation. One way to find out what may be available is to contact your local U.S. Department of Labor office and your State insurance regulatory agency. You may also contact the Plan Administrator. Relevant Information Relevant Information is any document, record or other information which: was relied upon in making the benefit determination; was submitted, considered or generated in the course of making the benefit determination, without regard to whether such document, record, or other information was relied upon in making the benefit determination; demonstrates compliance with the administrative processes and safeguards required by federal law in making the benefit determination; or constitutes a statement of policy or guidance with respect to the plan concerning the denied treatment option or benefit for the claimant's diagnosis, without regard to whether such advice or statement was relied upon in making the benefit determination.
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