(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
"Private utilization review organization" means an entity, other than a hospital orpublic reviewer following federal guidelines, which conducts utilization review.
"Utilization review" means an evaluation of the necessity, appropriateness, and efficiency of the use of health care services, procedures, and facilities, but does not include any independent medical examination provided for in any policy of insurance.
(2) An insurance carrier regulated pursuant to the provisions of this article may contract with any private utilization review organization and receive from that private utilization review organization a utilization review opinion. If the insurance carrier relies on the opinion of the private utilization review organization resulting in a decision to not pay benefits that an appropriate fact finder later determines were due and owing, then the insurance carrier shall be responsible to pay the past due benefits in addition to interest and costs. Nothing in this subsection (2) shall be construed to affect or limit the commissioner's power to regulate under the provisions of section 10-3-1104 (1)(h), nor shall anything in this subsection (2) limit or affect the insured's remedies under part 6 of this article, or any common law remedy.
Source: L. 93: Entire section added, p. 493, § 1, effective April 26. L. 2003: (2) amended, p. 1571, § 6, effective July 1.