1. (a) This section does not apply to claims submitted for payment by nursing facilities.

2. (b) The office shall pay or deny each clean claim as follows:

   1. (1) If the claim is filed electronically, within twenty-one (21) days after the date the claim is received by:

      1. (A) the office; or
      2. (B) a contractor of the office under IC 12-15-30 , if IC 12-15-30 applies.

   2. (2) If the claim is filed on paper, within thirty (30) days after the date the claim is received by:

      1. (A) the office; or
      2. (B) a contractor of the office under IC 12-15-30 , if IC 12-15-30 applies.

3. (c) If:

   1. (1) the office fails to pay or deny a clean claim in the time required under subsection (b); and

   2. (2) the office or a contractor of the office under IC 12-15-30 subsequently pays the claim;

      the office shall pay the provider that submitted the claim interest on the Medicaid allowable amount of the claim paid under this section.

4. (d) Interest paid under subsection (c) shall:

   1. (1) begin accruing:

      1. (A) twenty-two (22) days after the date the claim is filed under subsection (b)(1); or
      2. (B) thirty-one (31) days after the date the claim is filed under subsection (b)(2); and
   2. (2) stop accruing on the date the claim is paid.
5. (e) In paying interest under subsection (c), the office shall use the same interest rate as provided in IC 12-15-21-3 (7)(A).

As added by P.L.107-1996, SEC.8 and P.L.257-1996, SEC.8.