The Plan Administrator shall furnish a final written decision on formal review not later than 60 days after receipt of the notification of appeal, unless special circumstances require an extension of the time for processing the appeal. In no event, however, shall the Plan Administrator respond later than 120 days after a request for an appeal. The decision on the appeal shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, shall include specific reasons for the decision, and shall contain specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is based.

The Plan Administrator shall advise the claimant and such claimant’s representative, in writing, of its decision within 60 days of receipt of the written appeal, unless special circumstances require an extension of such 60-day period for not more than an additional 60 days. Where such extension is necessary, the claimant shall be given written notice of the delay before the expiration of the initial 60-day period, which notice shall set forth the reasons for the delay and the date the Plan Administrator expects to render its decision. In the event of an adverse benefit determination on appeal, the Plan Administrator shall advise the claimant, in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, of # the specific reasons for the adverse benefit determination, and # the specific Plan provisions on which the adverse benefit determination was based. The Plan Administrator’s written notice will advise the claimant of his or her right to receive, upon request and free of charge, copies of all documents, records and other information relevant to such claim.

Review of Appeal. In deciding a Claimant’s appeal, the Plan Administrator shall take into account all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial review of the claim. If the Claimant does not provide all the necessary information for the Plan Administrator to decide the appeal, the Plan Administrator may request additional information and set deadlines for the Claimant to provide that information. Within 60 days after a request for review is received, the review shall be made and the Claimant shall be advised in writing of the decision on review, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the review, in which case the Claimant shall be given a written notification within such initial 60-day period specifying the reasons for the extension and when such review shall be completed (provided that such review shall be completed within 120 days after the date on which the request for review was filed).

The plan administrator or its delegate will notify you of the determination on appeal within a reasonable period of time, but not later than 60 days after receipt of your request to appeal. This 60-day period may be extended for up to an additional 60 days if the plan administrator or its delegate (1) determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim, and (2) notifies you, before the initial 60-day period expires, of the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which a determination on review is expected.

The plan administrator or its delegate will notify you of the determination on appeal within a reasonable period of time, but not later than 60 days after receipt of your request to appeal. This 60‑day period may be extended for up to an additional 60 days if the plan administrator or its delegate (1) determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim, and (2) notifies you, before the initial 60-day period expires, of the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which a determination on review is expected.

Appeal Procedures. A request for appeal of a denied claim must be made in writing to the Plan Administrator within 60 days after receiving notice of denial. The decision on appeal shall be made within 60 days after the Plan Administrator’s receipt of a request for appeal, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing, in which case a decision shall be rendered not later than 120 days after receipt of a request for appeal. A notice of such an extension must be provided to the Claimant within the initial 60-day period and must explain the special circumstances and provide an expected date of decision. The reviewer shall afford the Claimant an opportunity to review and receive, upon request and without charge, all relevant all documents, records, and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim for benefits and to submit to the Plan Administrator written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the claim for benefits. The reviewer shall take into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim regardless of whether the information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

Decision on Review of Denial of Claim. The Plan Administrator shall deliver to the claimant a written decision on the claim promptly, but not later than 60 days, after the receipt of the claimant’s request for review, except that if there are special circumstances, which require an extension of time for processing, the aforesaid 60-day period may be extended to 120 days. Such decision shall # be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, # include specific reasons for the decision, and # contain specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the decision is based.

Timing of Plan Administrator’s Response. The Plan Administrator shall respond in writing to such claimant within 60 days after receiving the request for review. If the Plan Administrator determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Plan Administrator can extend the response period by an additional 60 days by notifying the claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial 60-day period that an additional period is required. The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which the Plan Administrator expects to render its decision.

Decision on Review of Denial of Claim. The Plan Administrator shall deliver to the claimant a written decision on the claim promptly, but not later than 60 days, after the receipt of the claimant’s request for review, except that if there are special circumstances which require an extension of time for processing, the aforesaid 60‑day period may be extended to 120 days. Such decision shall # be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, # include specific reasons for the decision, and # contain specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the decision is based.

Timing of Plan Administrator Response. The Plan Administrator shall respond in writing to such claimant within thirty (30) days after receiving the request for review. If the Plan Administrator determines that special circumstances require additional time for processing the claim, the Plan Administrator can extend the response period by an additional thirty (30) days by notifying the claimant in writing, prior to the end of the initial thirty (30) day period, that an additional period is required. The notice of extension must set forth the special circumstances and the date by which the Plan Administrator expects to render its decision.