1. (a) The commissioner shall designate annually each organization that meets the standards as an independent review organization.
2. (b) An independent review organization must apply for renewal of its certificate of registration every year, not later than the anniversary date of the issuance of the registration. A renewal form must be used for this purpose. The renewal form can be obtained from the address listed in §12.102 of this title (relating to How To Obtain Forms). The completed renewal form, a summary of the current screening criteria, renewal fee, and a certification that no material changes exist that have not already been filed with the department must be submitted to the department at the address listed in §12.101 of this title (relating to Where To File Application). Material changes shall include changes relating to physicians or providers performing independent review.
3. (c) An independent review organization may continue to operate under its certificate of registration after a completed renewal application form and a summary of the current screening criteria has been timely received by the department until the renewal is finally denied or issued by the department.
4. (d) If a completed renewal form and a summary of the screening criteria is not received prior to the anniversary date of the year in which the certificate of registration must be renewed, the certificate of registration will automatically expire and the independent review organization must complete and submit a new application for certificate of registration.
5. (e) The independent review organization shall report any material changes in the information in the application or renewal form referred to in this chapter, including changes relating to physicians and providers performing independent review, not later than the 30th day before the date on which the change takes effect.
6. (f) Compliance with subsection (e) of this section is exempted in the event that a contracted specialist is unavailable for review, and subsequent immediate contracting with a new specialist is necessary to complete independent review within the timeframes set forth in this chapter.
7. (g) The independent review organization shall notify the department within 10 days of any contracts entered into pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, and shall include in the notification a complete explanation of the circumstances necessitating such contracts.

Source Note:The provisions of this §12.108 adopted to be effective November 26, 1997, 22 TexReg 11363.