A disability insurer that denies coverage for an experimental medical procedure or plan of treatment for a claimant with a terminal illness, which for the purposes of this section refers to an incurable or irreversible condition that has a high probability of causing death within one year or less, under a disability insurance policy that includes hospital, medical, or surgical coverage issued in this state shall provide written notification directly to the claimant or representative, which shall include all of the following:

(a) The specific medical and scientific reasons for the denial and specific references to pertinent policy provisions upon which the denial is based.

(b) A description of the alternative medical procedures or treatments covered by the policy, if any. Compliance with this subdivision by an insurer shall not be construed to mean that the insurer is engaging in the unlawful practice of medicine.

(c) A description of the process by which the claimant or representative may exercise his or her right to appeal the denial and obtain and participate in a review of the information provided to the claimant or representative pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b). The review shall not be limited to written communication and shall be provided by the appropriate named fiduciary or his or her designee rendering the decision. The review shall be provided to the claimant within 30 calendar days following the receipt of the request for review. However, the review required by this section shall be held within five business days if the treating physician determines, in consultation with the medical director of the insurer, based on standard medical practice, that the effectiveness of either the proposed treatment, services, or supplies or any alternative treatment, services, or supplies covered by the policy, would be materially reduced if not provided at the earliest possible date.

(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 582, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1995.)