1
00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:00,996
Question 20.

2
00:00:00,996 --> 00:00:04,181
Was there an accessible
complaint and appeal route

3
00:00:04,181 --> 00:00:06,569
specifically for provider-choice
or referral disputes?

4
00:00:06,569 --> 00:00:09,754
The 2023 report raises
a concern, not a

5
00:00:09,754 --> 00:00:10,152
finding.

6
00:00:10,152 --> 00:00:10,948
People served:

7
00:00:10,948 --> 00:00:13,336
A beneficiary may have
informed-choice, accessible-notice,

8
00:00:13,336 --> 00:00:16,123
hearing, and qualified-provider
protections, subject to program

9
00:00:16,123 --> 00:00:16,521
limits.

10
00:00:16,521 --> 00:00:17,317
David Medeiros:

11
00:00:17,317 --> 00:00:20,502
Reporting possible steering
can be protected speech or

12
00:00:20,502 --> 00:00:23,686
statutory activity only if
each required element is

13
00:00:23,686 --> 00:00:24,084
proved.

14
00:00:24,084 --> 00:00:24,880
ABI Resources:

15
00:00:24,880 --> 00:00:28,065
Beneficiary choice does not
give ABI a constitutional

16
00:00:28,065 --> 00:00:31,250
right to referrals,
volume, renewal, or a state

17
00:00:31,250 --> 00:00:31,648
contract.

18
00:00:31,648 --> 00:00:33,638
Constitutional claims
need state action;

19
00:00:33,638 --> 00:00:36,823
beneficiary choice does not
guarantee ABI referrals or

20
00:00:36,823 --> 00:00:37,619
a contract.

21
00:00:37,619 --> 00:00:40,405
Classify the issue
before choosing a remedy.

22
00:00:40,405 --> 00:00:43,590
Preserve the full referral
ledger, provider options shown,

23
00:00:43,590 --> 00:00:45,580
reasons, dates,
decision-makers, and outcomes.

24
00:00:45,580 --> 00:00:48,367
Apply Constitution, statute,
regulation, contract, then record.