SDCL § 58-17H-26: Independence and impartiality required for utilization review.

In conducting utilization review, the health carrier shall ensure that the review is conducted in a manner to ensure the independence and impartiality of the individuals involved in making the utilization review or benefit determination.

In ensuring the independence and impartially of individuals involved in making the utilization review or benefit determination, no health carrier may make decisions regarding hiring, compensation, termination, promotion, or other similar matters based upon the likelihood that the individual will support the denial of benefits.

Commission Note: SL 2012, ch 239, § 1 provides: "The provisions of chapter 219 of the 2011 Session Laws shall be deemed repealed if the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub. L. No. 111-148, 124 Stat. 119 (2010), as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Pub. L. No. 111-152, 124 Stat. 1029 (2010) is found to be unconstitutional in its entirety by a final decision of a federal court of competent jurisdiction and all appeals exhausted or time for appeals elapsed."