The Trust's Administrative Committee serves as the Appeal Panel. The Appeal Panel will consider properly filed appeal requests at the next regularly scheduled Administrative Committee meeting following receipt of the appeal and the completion of any informal consultation process. If your request for Appeal Panel review is received within 20 days of the next regularly scheduled Administrative Committee meeting, your appeal will be heard at the second regularly scheduled Administrative Committee meeting.

The Appeal Panel will review all documents relevant to the appeal. The review will be de novo (i.e., without any deference to the original decision).

You or your authorized representative will be allowed to appear before the Appeal Panel and present evidence or witnesses. The Appeal Panel may in its discretion set conditions related to the conduct of an appeal, the testimony or attendance of any individual or other procedural and evidentiary matters.

The Claim Appeal Panel will notify the claimant of its decision within 10 days of the hearing. If any part of the appeal is denied, the written decision will set out the specific reason for the adverse decision, reference the plan provision involved, identify any internal rules or guidelines considered in making its decision, and a statement identifying what information is available to you upon request.

A vote by three of the four members of the Appeal Panel is required to constitute a decision. A decision of the Claims Appeal Panel will be final and binding unless the Appeal Panel refers the matter to the Board of Trustees or cannot reach a decision.