S.C. Code Ann. § 38-71-2030: External review; written records; reports.

(A)(1) An independent review organization assigned pursuant to Section 38-71-1970 or Section 38-71-1980 to conduct an external review shall maintain written records in the aggregate and by health carrier on all requests for external review for which it conducted an external review during a calendar year and submit a report to the director or his designee, as required under item (2).

(2) Each independent review organization required to maintain written records on all requests for external review pursuant to item (1) for which it was assigned to conduct an external review shall submit to the director or his designee, no later than March first of each year and upon request by the director or his designee, a report in the format specified by the director or his designee.

(3) The report shall include in the aggregate and for each health carrier:

(a) the total number of requests for external review and the manner in which they were resolved;

(b) the average length of time for resolution;

(c) a summary of the types of coverages or cases for which an external review was sought, as provided in the format required by the director or his designee; and

(d) any other information the director or his designee may request or require.

(4) The independent review organization shall retain the written records required pursuant to this subsection for at least three years.

(B)(1) Each health carrier shall maintain written records in the aggregate and for each general type of health benefit plan offered by the health carrier on all requests for external review that are filed with the health carrier during a calendar year.

(2) Each health carrier required to maintain written records on all requests for external review pursuant to item (1) shall submit to the director or his designee, no later than March first of each year and upon request by the director or his designee, a report in the format specified by the director or his designee.

(3) The report shall include in the aggregate and by type of health benefit plan:

(a) the total number of requests for external review and the manner in which they were resolved;

(b) the average length of time for resolution;

(c) a summary of the types of coverages or cases for which an external review was sought, as provided in the format required by the director or his designee; and

(d) any other information the director or his designee may request or require.

(4) The health carrier shall retain the written records required pursuant to this subsection for at least three years.

(C) The director or his designee shall make the reports required in this section available to any person for inspection and copying upon request.