(a) The Commissioner shall approve independent review organizations eligible to be assigned to conduct external reviews under this Part to ensure that an organization satisfies the minimum qualifications established under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-50-87. The Commissioner shall develop an application form for initially approving and for reapproving organizations to conduct external reviews.

(b) Any organization wishing to be approved to conduct external reviews under this Part shall submit the application form and include with the form all documentation and information necessary for the Commissioner to determine if the organization satisfies the minimum qualifications established under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-50-87. Applicants must submit pricing information sufficient to demonstrate that if selected, the applicant’s total fee per review will not exceed commercially reasonable fees charged for similar services in the industry. The Commissioner shall not approve any independent review organization that either fails to provide sufficient pricing information or has fees that do not meet the guidelines established under this subsection.

(c) In order to be eligible for approval by the Commissioner, an independent review organization shall be accredited by a nationally recognized private accrediting entity that the Commissioner has determined has independent review organization accreditation standards that are equivalent to or exceed the minimum qualifications established under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-50-87. The Commissioner may approve independent review organizations that are not accredited by a nationally recognized private accrediting entity if there are no acceptable nationally recognized private accrediting entities providing independent review organization accreditation.

(d) An approval is effective for two years, unless the Commissioner determines before expiration of the approval that the independent review organization is not satisfying the minimum qualifications established under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-50-87.

(e) Whenever the Commissioner determines that an independent review organization no longer satisfies the minimum requirements established under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-50-87, the Commissioner shall terminate the approval of the independent review organization. (2001-446, s. 4.5; 2009-382, s. 31.)