SECTION # Appeal of Denial. A Claimant whose claim is denied by the Plan Administrator and who wishes to appeal such denial must request a review of the Plan Administrator’s decision by filing a written request with the Appeal Reviewer for such review within 60 days after such claim is denied. Such written request for review shall contain all relevant comments, documents, records and additional information that the Claimant wishes the Appeal Reviewer to consider, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial review of the claim by the Plan Administrator. In connection with that review, the Claimant may examine, and receive free of charge, copies of pertinent Plan documents and submit such written comments as may be appropriate. Written notice of the decision on review shall be furnished to the Claimant within 60 days after receipt by the Appeal Reviewer of a request for review. In the event of special circumstances which require an extension of the time needed for processing, the response period can be extended for an additional 60 days, as long as the Claimant receives an Extension Notice. If the Appeal Reviewer denies the claim on review, notice of the Appeal Reviewer’s decision shall include # the specific reasons for the adverse determination, # references to applicable Plan provisions, # a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the claim and # a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring an action under [Section 502(a)] of ERISA following an adverse benefit determination on a review and a description of the applicable limitations period under the Plan. The Claimant shall be notified no later than five days after a decision is made with respect to the appeal.

Section # Review of Claim Denial. If a Claim is denied, in whole or in part, the Claimant shall have the right to # request that the Plan Administrator review the denial, # review pertinent documents, and # submit issues and comments in writing, provided that the Claimant files a written request for review with the Plan Administrator within sixty (60) days after the date on which the Claimant received written notification of the denial. Within sixty (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 sixty (60) day period specifying the reasons for the extension and when such review shall be completed (provided that such review shall be completed within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the date on which the request for review was filed). The decision on review by the Plan Administrator shall be forwarded to the Claimant in writing and shall include specific reasons for the decision and reference to Plan provisions upon which the decision is based. A decision on review shall be final and binding on all persons for all purposes.

Section # Review of Claim Denial. If a Claim is denied, in whole or in part, the Claimant shall have the right to # request that the Plan Administrator review the denial, # review pertinent documents, and # submit issues and comments in writing, provided that the Claimant files a written request for review with the Plan Administrator within sixty (60) days after the date on which the Claimant received written notification of the denial. Within sixty (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 sixty (60) day period specifying the reasons for the extension and when such review shall be completed (provided that such review shall be completed within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the date on which the request for review was filed). The decision on review by the Plan Administrator shall be forwarded to the Claimant in writing and shall include specific reasons for the decision and reference to Plan provisions upon which the decision is based. A decision on review shall be final and binding on all persons for all purposes.

The Plan Administrator shall render a determination upon the appealed claim which determination shall be accompanied by a written statement as to the reasons therefore. The determination shall be communicated to the Claimant within 60 days of the Claimant’s request for review, unless the Plan Administrator determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim. In such case, the Plan Administrator shall notify the Claimant of the need for an extension of time to render its decision prior to the end of the initial 60-day period, and the Plan Administrator shall have an additional 60-day period to make its determination. The determination so rendered shall be binding upon all parties. If the determination is adverse to the Claimant, the notice shall: # provide the reason or reasons for denial; # make specific reference to the Plan provisions on which the determination was based; # include a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim for benefits; and # state that the Claimant has the right to bring an action under [section 502(a)] of ERISA.

If the Claimant does not agree with the Administrator’s decision, the Claimant can request that the Administrator reconsider his or her decision by filing a written request for review within sixty (60) days after receiving notice that the claim has been denied. The Claimant or the Claimant’s representative can also present written statements which explain why the Claimant believes that the benefit claimed should be paid and may review all pertinent plan documents. Generally, the appealed decision will be reviewed within sixty (60) days after the Administrator receives a request for reconsideration. However, if special circumstances require a delay, the review may take up to one hundred twenty (120) days. (If a decision cannot be made within the 60-day period, the Claimant will be notified of this fact in writing.) The Claimant will receive a written notice of the decision which will explain the reasons for the decision by making specific reference to the Plan provisions on which the decision is based.

Within a reasonable period of time but not later than 60 days after the Plan receives your appeal, the Plan Administrator will give you written notice of the action on your appeal. If special circumstances require additional time, the Plan Administrator may take up to another 60 days to make a decision on your appeal, so long as you are given written notice of such special circumstances before the expiration of the original 60 day period. If your appeal is denied, the Plan Administrator will give you a written notice setting forth the specific reason or reasons for the denial; the specific plan provisions on which the denial is based; a statement that you are entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to your claim for benefits; a statement describing any voluntary appeal procedures offered by the plan and your right to obtain the information about such procedures; and a statement of your right to bring a court action under Section 502(a) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”).

The claimant may request a review of a denied claim by writing the Committee in care of the Plan Administrator. The appeal must, however, be made within 60 days after the claimant's receipt of notice of the denial of the claim. Pertinent documents may be reviewed in preparing an appeal, and issues and comments may be submitted in writing. An appeal shall be given a complete review by the Committee, and a written decision, including reasons, shall be provided within 60 days. If there are special circumstances requiring an extensive review, the Committee shall notify the claimant in a written notice within the original 60 day period of its receipt of the appeal and indicating that the decision will be delayed. A final decision on the appeal shall be made within 120 days of the Committee's receipt of the appeal.

Review of Denial. Upon denial of a claim, in whole or in part, a claimant or his duly authorized representative will have the right to submit a written request to the Plan Committee for a full and fair review of the denied claim by filing a written notice of appeal with the Plan Committee within 60 days of the receipt by the claimant of written notice of the denial of the claim. A claimant or the claimant’s authorized representative will have, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits and may submit issues and comments in writing, except for privileged or confidential documentation. The review will 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 benefit determination.

A Claimant whose claim has been denied shall file with the Plan Administrator a notice of appeal of the denial. Such notice shall be filed within 60 calendar days of notification by the Plan Administrator of the denial of a claim, shall be made in writing, and shall set forth all of the facts upon which the appeal is based. Appeals not timely filed shall be barred. The Plan Administrator shall consider the merits of the Claimant’s written presentations, the merits of any facts or evidence in support of the denial of benefits, and such other facts and circumstances as the Plan Administrator shall deem relevant.

The claimant may request a review of a denied claim by writing the Committee in care of the Plan Administrator. The appeal must, however, be made within 60 days after the claimant's receipt of notice of the denial of the claim. Pertinent documents may be reviewed in preparing an appeal, and issues and comments may be submitted in writing. An appeal shall be given a complete review by the Committee, and a written decision, including reasons, shall be provided within 60 days. If there are special circumstances requiring an extensive review, the Committee shall notify the claimant in a written notice within the original 60 day period of its receipt of the appeal and indicating that the decision will be delayed. A final decision on the appeal shall be made within 120 days of the Committee's receipt of the appeal.