Timeframes and responsibility for reconsiderations; Expediting certain reconsiderations
Section 42 CFR 422.590. Standard reconsideration: Requests for service or item.
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, if the MA organization makes a reconsidered determination that is completely favorable to the enrollee, the MA organization must issue the determination (and effectuate it in accordance with § 422.618(a)) as expeditiously as the enrollee’s health condition requires, but no later than 30 calendar days from the date it receives the request for a standard reconsideration.
(2) If the MA organization makes a reconsidered determination that affirms, in whole or in part, its adverse organization determination, it must prepare a written explanation and send the case file to the independent entity contracted by CMS as expeditiously as the enrollee’s health condition requires, but no later than 30 calendar days from the date it receives the request for a standard reconsideration (or no later than the expiration of an extension described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section). The organization must make reasonable and diligent efforts to assist in gathering and forwarding information to the independent entity.
(b) Standard reconsideration: Requests for payment.
(1) If the MA organization makes a reconsidered determination that is completely favorable to the enrollee, the MA organization must issue its reconsidered determination to the enrollee (and effectuate it in accordance with § 422.618(a)(2)) no later than 60 calendar days from the date it receives the request for a standard reconsideration.
(2) If the MA organization affirms, in whole or in part, its adverse organization determination, it must prepare a written explanation and send the case file to the independent entity contracted by CMS no later than 60 calendar days from the date it receives the request for a standard reconsideration. The organization must make reasonable and diligent efforts to assist in gathering and forwarding information to the independent entity.
(c) Standard reconsideration: Requests for a Part B drug.
(1) If the MA organization makes a reconsidered determination that is completely favorable to the enrollee, the MA organization must issue the determination (and effectuate it in accordance with § 422.618(a)(3)) as expeditiously as the enrollee’s health condition requires, but no later than 7 calendar days from the date it receives the request for a standard reconsideration. This 7 calendar-day period may not be extended under the provisions in paragraph (f) of this section.
(2) If the MA organization makes a reconsidered determination that affirms, in whole or in part, its adverse organization determination, it must prepare a written explanation and send the case file to the independent entity contracted with CMS no later than 7 calendar days from the date it receives the request for a standard reconsideration. The organization must make reasonable and diligent efforts to assist in gathering and forwarding the information to the independent entity.
(d) Effect of failure to meet timeframe for standard reconsideration. If the MA organization fails to provide the enrollee with a reconsidered determination within the timeframes specified in paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of this section, this failure constitutes an affirmation of its adverse organization determination, and the MA organization must submit the file to the independent entity in the same manner as described under paragraphs (a)(2), (b)(2), and (c)(2) of this section.
(e) Expedited reconsideration –
(1) Timeframe for services or items. Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, an MA organization that approves a request for expedited reconsideration must complete its reconsideration and give the enrollee (and the physician involved, as appropriate) notice of its decision as expeditiously as the enrollee’s health condition requires but no later than 72 hours after receiving the request.
(2) Timeframe for Part B drugs. An MA organization that approves a request for expedited reconsideration must complete its reconsideration and give the enrollee (and the physician or other prescriber involved, as appropriate) notice of its decision as expeditiously as the enrollee’s health condition requires but no later than 72 hours after receiving the request. This 72-hour period may not be extended under the provisions in paragraph (f) of this section.
(3) Confirmation of oral notice. If the MA organization first notifies an enrollee of a completely favorable expedited reconsideration orally, it must mail written confirmation to the enrollee within 3 calendar days.
(4) How the MA organization must request information from noncontract providers. If the MA organization must receive medical information from noncontract providers, the MA organization must request the necessary information from the noncontract provider within 24 hours of the initial request for an expedited reconsideration. Noncontract providers must make reasonable and diligent efforts to expeditiously gather and forward all necessary information to assist the MA organization in meeting the required timeframe. Regardless of whether the MA organization must request information from noncontract providers, the MA organization is responsible for meeting the timeframe and notice requirements.
(5) Affirmation of an adverse expedited organization determination. If, as a result of its reconsideration, the MA organization affirms, in whole or in part, its adverse expedited organization determination, the MA organization must submit a written explanation and the case file to the independent entity contracted by CMS as expeditiously as the enrollee’s health condition requires, but not later than within 24 hours of its affirmation. The organization must make reasonable and diligent efforts to assist in gathering and forwarding information to the independent entity.
(f) Extensions; requests for service or item.
(1) As described in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section, the MA organization may extend the standard or expedited reconsideration deadline for services by up to 14 calendar days if –
(i) The enrollee requests the extension; or
(ii) The extension is justified and in the enrollee’s interest due to the need for additional medical evidence from a noncontract provider that may change an MA organization’s decision to deny an item or service; or
(iii) The extension is justified due to extraordinary, exigent or other non-routine circumstances and is in the enrollee’s interest.
(2) When the MA organization extends the deadline, it must notify the enrollee in writing of the reasons for the delay and inform the enrollee of the right to file an expedited grievance if he or she disagrees with the MA organization’s decision to grant an extension. The MA organization must notify the enrollee of its determination as expeditiously as the enrollee’s health condition requires, but no later than upon expiration of the extension.
(g) Failure to meet timeframe for expedited reconsideration. If the MA organization fails to provide the enrollee with the results of its reconsideration within the timeframe described in paragraph (e)(1) or (2) of this section, as applicable, this failure constitutes an adverse reconsidered determination, and the MA organization must submit the file to the independent entity within 24 hours of expiration of the timeframe set forth in paragraph (e)(1) or (2) of this section.
(h) Who must reconsider an adverse organization determination.
(1) A person or persons who were not involved in making the organization determination must conduct the reconsideration.
(2) When the issue is the MA organization’s denial of coverage based on a lack of medical necessity (or any substantively equivalent term used to describe the concept of medical necessity), the reconsidered determination must be made by a physician with expertise in the field of medicine that is appropriate for the services at issue. The physician making the reconsidered determination need not, in all cases, be of the same specialty or subspecialty as the treating physician.
(i) Requests for review of a dismissal by the independent entity. If the MA organization dismisses a request for a reconsideration in accordance with §§ 422.582(f) and 422.584(g), the enrollee or other proper party under § 422.578 has the right to request review of the dismissal by the independent entity. A request for review of a dismissal must be filed in writing with the independent entity within 60 calendar days from the date of the MA organization’s dismissal notice.
[84 FR 23881, May 23, 2019, as amended at 86 FR 6102, Jan. 19, 2021; 88 FR 22334, Apr. 12, 2023]
See https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-422/subpart-M/section-422.590
Section 422.584. Expediting certain reconsiderations
(a) Who may request an expedited reconsideration. An enrollee or a physician (regardless of whether he or she is affiliated with the MA organization) may request that an MA organization expedite a reconsideration of a determination that involves the issues described in § 422.566(b)(3) and (b)(4). (This does not include requests for payment of services already furnished.)
(b) Procedure and timeframe for filing a request. A request for reconsideration must be filed within 60 calendar days after receipt of the written organization determination notice.
(1) To ask for an expedited reconsideration, an enrollee or a physician acting on behalf of an enrollee must submit an oral or written request directly to the MA organization or, if applicable, to the entity responsible for making the reconsideration, as directed by the MA organization.
(2) A physician may provide oral or written support for a request for an expedited reconsideration.
(3) The date of receipt of the organization determination is presumed to be 5 calendar days after the date of the written organization determination, unless there is evidence to the contrary.
(4) For purposes of meeting the 60-calendar day filing deadline, the request is considered as filed on the date it is received by the plan or delegated entity specified in the MA organization’s written organization determination.
(c) How the MA organization must process requests. The MA organization must establish and maintain the following procedures for processing requests for expedited reconsiderations:
(1) Handling of requests. The MA organization must establish an efficient and convenient means for individuals to submit oral or written requests, document all oral requests in writing, and maintain the documentation in the case file.
(2) Prompt decision. Promptly decide on whether to expedite the reconsideration or follow the timeframe for standard reconsideration based on the following requirements:
(i) For a request made by an enrollee, the MA organization must provide an expedited reconsideration if it determines that applying the standard timeframe for reconsidering a determination could seriously jeopardize the life or health of the enrollee or the enrollee’s ability to regain maximum function.
(ii) For a request made or supported by a physician, the MA organization must provide an expedited reconsideration if the physician indicates that applying the standard timeframe for conducting a reconsideration could seriously jeopardize the life or health of the enrollee or the enrollee’s ability to regain maximum function.
(d) Actions following denial. If an MA organization denies a request for expedited reconsideration, it must take the following actions:
(1) Automatically transfer a request to the standard timeframe and make the determination within the 30 calendar day or 7 calendar day, as applicable, timeframe established in § 422.590(a) and (c). The timeframe begins the day the MA organization receives the request for expedited reconsideration.
(2) Give the enrollee prompt oral notice, and subsequently deliver, within 3 calendar days, a written letter that—
(i) Explains that the MA organization will process the enrollee’s request using the 30-day timeframe for standard reconsiderations;
(ii) Informs the enrollee of the right to file a grievance if he or she disagrees with the organization’s decision not to expedite;
(iii) Informs the enrollee of the right to resubmit a request for an expedited reconsideration with any physician’s support; and
(iv) Provides instructions about the grievance process and its timeframes.
(e) Action following acceptance of a request. If an MA organization grants a request for expedited reconsideration, it must conduct the reconsideration and give notice in accordance with § 422.590.
(f) Prohibition of punitive action. An MA organization may not take or threaten to take any punitive action against a physician acting on behalf or in support of an enrollee in requesting an expedited reconsideration.
(g) Dismissing a request. The MA organization dismisses an expedited reconsideration request in accordance with § 422.582(f) through (i).
[63 FR 35107, June 26, 1998, as amended at 65 FR 40330, June 29, 2000; 70 FR 4739, Jan. 28, 2005; 84 FR 23881, May 23, 2019; 86 FR 6101, Jan. 19, 2021; 89 FR 30827, Apr. 23, 2024]
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-422/subpart-M/section-422.584