RULE XVII – MEMBER CARRIER DISPUTES (DISPUTE RESOLUTION CONFERENCE)

A. A member carrier aggrieved by a final decision of DCRB staff concerning an application of the rating system(Staff Decision) may submit a written request for a conference with the DCRB President and/or Senior Vice-president (Dispute Resolution Conference) to discuss the Staff Decision. This request must be submitted within 30 days of the Staff Decision and must state the basis of the grievance and the remedy being sought.

B. Within 30 days following the Dispute Resolution Conference, the DCRB President or Senior Vice President shall issue a written communication (Conference Decision) to the aggrieved member carrier communicating any change(s) to the Staff Decision and any remedy on account of such change(s). If the member carrier remains aggrieved by the Conference Decision, the member carrier may appeal the Staff Decision, as sustained or modified by the Conference Decision, to the Insurance Commissioner within 30 days of the mailing date of the Conference Decision. Such appeals should be directed to the Insurance Commissioner.

C. A copy of the Conference Decision will be sent to the impacted policyholder if the Conference Decision changes the Staff Decision. To the extent the policyholder is aggrieved by the Conference Decision, the policyholder may pursue an appeal of the Conference Decision via the appeals procedure outlined in Rule XVI. In the context of Rule XVI procedures, the Conference Decision is considered the DCRB final decision.