117 STAT. 2414
PUBLIC LAW 108–173—DEC. 8, 2003 ‘‘(iii) the contractor lacks sufficient information to make a coverage determination with respect to the physicians’ service. ‘‘(B) CONTENTS OF NOTICE FOR CERTAIN DETERMINATIONS.— ‘‘(i) NONCOVERAGE.—If the contractor makes the determination described in subparagraph (A)(ii), the contractor shall include in the notice a brief explanation of the basis for the determination, including on what national or local coverage or noncoverage determination (if any) the determination is based, and a description of any applicable rights under subsection (a). ‘‘(ii) INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION.—If the contractor makes the determination described in subparagraph (A)(iii), the contractor shall include in the notice a description of the additional information required to make the coverage determination. ‘‘(C) DEADLINE TO RESPOND.—Such notice shall be provided within the same time period as the time period applicable to the contractor providing notice of initial determinations on a claim for benefits under subsection (a)(2)(A). ‘‘(D) INFORMING BENEFICIARY IN CASE OF PHYSICIAN REQUEST.—In the case of a request by a participating physician under paragraph (1)(B)(i), the process shall provide that the individual to whom the physicians’ service is proposed to be furnished shall be informed of any determination described in subparagraph (A)(ii) (relating to a determination of non-coverage) and the right (referred to in paragraph (6)(B)) to obtain the physicians’ service and have a claim submitted for the physicians’ service. ‘‘(5) BINDING NATURE OF POSITIVE DETERMINATION.—If the contractor makes the determination described in paragraph (4)(A)(i), such determination shall be binding on the contractor in the absence of fraud or evidence of misrepresentation of facts presented to the contractor. ‘‘(6) LIMITATION ON FURTHER REVIEW.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Contractor determinations described in paragraph (4)(A)(ii) or (4)(A)(iii) (relating to pre-service claims) are not subject to further administrative appeal or judicial review under this section or otherwise. ‘‘(B) DECISION NOT TO SEEK PRIOR DETERMINATION OR NEGATIVE DETERMINATION DOES NOT IMPACT RIGHT TO OBTAIN SERVICES, SEEK REIMBURSEMENT, OR APPEAL RIGHTS.—Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as
affecting the right of an individual who— ‘‘(i) decides not to seek a prior determination under this subsection with respect to physicians’ services; or ‘‘(ii) seeks such a determination and has received a determination described in paragraph (4)(A)(ii), from receiving (and submitting a claim for) such physicians’ services and from obtaining administrative or judicial review respecting such claim under the other applicable provisions of this section. Failure to seek a prior determination under this subsection with respect to physicians’
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