North Dakota Century Code Title 43. Occupations and Professions § 43-06-14.1. Peer review of services and fees

1. The board, upon receipt of a complaint, may appoint a peer review committee for the purpose of investigation of the matter and rendering an opinion thereon.

2. The peer review committee must be appointed by the board and function as its agent and may consist of different individuals for review of different cases.

3. The peer review committee shall investigate each inquiry submitted by the board. It shall examine such witnesses, review such patient and business records, and otherwise take whatever action is necessary to best ascertain the facts. It shall transmit all information it possesses to the board and shall report its findings to the board. The board shall furnish copies of the findings to the party making the complaint and to the chiropractor.

4. The determinations of the peer review committee must be presumed valid and may be considered as prima facie evidence in any further proceedings by the board.

5. The provision of treatment rendered to a patient by a chiropractor constitutes the consent of the chiropractor to the submission of all necessary records and other information concerning the treatment to the board or peer review committee.

6. The board may adopt rules it considers necessary and appropriate to implement the peer review system and activities established under this chapter.

7. All data and information, including patient records acquired by the board or the peer review committee, in the exercise of its duties and functions, are confidential and closed to the public. All board and peer review committee meetings wherein patient testimony or records are taken or reviewed are confidential and closed to the public.

8. Except a patient, any party, including any governmental agency, making a request under this section may be charged a fee by the board equal to the administration costs of performing the review.