Any enrollee may appeal a decision regarding the administration of a PEBB medical plan by following the appeal provisions of the plan, except when regarding eligibility, enrollment, and premium payment decisions. Learn more at hca.wa.gov/pebb-appeals. I. Relationship to law and regulations Any provision of this certificate of coverage that is in conflict with any governing law or regulation of Washington State is hereby amended to comply with the minimum requirements of such law or regulation. VII. Grievances Grievance means a written or verbal complaint submitted by or on behalf of a covered person regarding service delivery issues other than denial of payment for medical services or non-provision of medical services, including dissatisfaction with medical care, waiting time for medical services, provider or staff attitude or demeanor, or dissatisfaction with service provided by the health carrier. The grievance process is outlined as follows: Step 1: It is recommended that the Enrollee contact the person involved or the manager of the medical center/department where they are having a problem, explain their concerns and what they would like to have done to resolve the problem. The Enrollee should be specific and make their position clear. Most concerns can be resolved in this way. Step 2: If the Enrollee is still not satisfied, they should write to Member Services at P.O. Box 34590, Seattle, WA 98124-1590, or call at 206-630-0107 or toll-free 1-866-648-1928. Most concerns are handled by phone within a few days. In some cases, the Enrollee will be asked to write down their concerns and state what they think would be a fair resolution to the problem. An appropriate representative will investigate the Enrollee’s concern by consulting with involved staff and their supervisors, and reviewing pertinent records, relevant plan policies and the Enrollee Rights and Responsibilities statement. This process can take up to 30 days to resolve after receipt of the Enrollee’s written or verbal statement. If the Enrollee is dissatisfied with the resolution of the complaint, they may contact Member Services. Assistance is available to Enrollees who are limited-English speakers, who have literacy problems, or who have physical or mental disabilities that impede their ability to request review or participate in the review process. VIII. Appeals Enrollees are entitled to appeal through the appeals process if/when coverage for an item or service is denied due to an adverse determination made by the KFHPWA medical director. The appeals process is available for an Enrollee to seek reconsideration of an adverse benefit determination (action). Adverse benefit determination (action) means any of the following: a denial, reduction, or termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or in part) for, a benefit, including any such denial, reduction, termination, or failure to provide or make payment that is based on a determination of an Enrollee’s eligibility to participate in a plan, and including, a denial, reduction, or termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment, in whole or in part, for a benefit resulting from the application of any utilization review, as well as a failure to cover an item or service for which benefits are otherwise provided because it is determined to be experimental or investigational or not Medically Necessary or appropriate. KFHPWA will comply with any new requirements as necessary under federal laws and regulations. Assistance is available to Enrollees who are limited-English speakers, who have literacy problems, or who have physical or mental disabilities that impede their ability to request review or participate in the review process. The most current information about your appeals process is available by contacting KFHPWA’s Member Appeal Department at the address or telephone number below. 1. Initial Appeal If the Enrollee or the Enrollee’s legal representative wishes to appeal a KFHPWA decision to deny, modify, reduce or terminate coverage of or payment for health care services, they must submit a request for an appeal either orally or in writing to KFHPWA’s Member Appeal Department, specifying why they disagree with the decision. The appeal must be submitted within 180 days of receipt of the denial notice. KFHPWA will notify PEBB_CA_2024 62