65-02-27. Decision review office

65-02-27. Decision review office The organization's decision review office is established. The decision review office is independent of the claims department of the organization and activities administered through the office must be administered in accordance with this title. The decision review office shall provide assistance to an injured employee who has filed a claim, which may include acting on behalf of an injured employee who is aggrieved by a decision of the organization, communicating with organization staff regarding claim dispute resolution, and informing an injured employee of the effect of decisions made by the organization, an injured employee, or an employer under this title. The organization shall employ a director of the decision review office and other personnel determined to be necessary for the administration of the office. An individual employed to administer the decision review office may not act as an attorney for an injured employee. The organization may not pay attorney's fees to an attorney who represents an injured employee in a disputed claim before the organization unless the injured employee has first attempted to resolve the dispute through the decision review office. A written request for assistance by an injured employee who contacts the decision review office within the period for requesting a hearing on an administrative order tolls the time period for requesting a hearing on that order. The period begins upon notice to the injured employee, issued by regular mail or electronic means, that the decision review office's assistance to the injured employee is completed. The information contained in a file established by the decision review office on an injured employee's disputed claim, including communications from an injured employee, is privileged and may not be released without the injured employee's permission. Information in the file containing the notes or mental impressions of decision review office staff is confidential and may not be released by the decision review office.