(A)(1) Except in cases where the covered person‘s treating physician has certified in writing that the covered person has a serious medical condition, or where the denial of coverage is based on a determination that the health care service or treatment recommended or requested is experimental or investigational and the covered person’s treating physician has provided the certifications required pursuant to § 38-71-1980, a request for a standard or expedited external review may not be made until the covered person has exhausted the health carrier’s internal appeal process.

(2) A covered person is considered to have exhausted the health carrier’s internal appeal process for purposes of this section, if the covered person or his authorized representative:

(a) has filed an appeal involving an adverse determination pursuant to the health carrier’s internal appeal process; and

(b) the health carrier has not issued a written decision within the time frames set forth in the health carrier’s internal appeals process after receipt of all information necessary to complete the appeal and the covered person or his authorized representative has not agreed to a delay.

(B) A request for an external review of an adverse determination may be made before the covered person has exhausted the health carrier’s internal appeal process whenever the health carrier agrees to waive the exhaustion requirement.

(C) If the requirement to exhaust the health carrier’s internal appeal process is waived under subsection (B), the covered person or his authorized representative may file a request in writing for an external review.