CONTESTED CASE HEARING ON AND JUDICIAL REVIEW OF INDEPENDENT REVIEW

(a) A party to a medical dispute that remains unresolved after the review described by Section 504.053(d)(3) is entitled to a contested case hearing. A hearing under this subsection shall be conducted by the division in the same manner as a hearing conducted under Section 413.0311. (b) The administrative law judge conducting the contested case hearing under Subsection (a) shall consider any treatment guidelines adopted by the political subdivision or pool that provides medical benefits under Section 504.053(b)(2) if those guidelines meet the standards provided by Section 413.011(e). (c) A party that has exhausted all administrative remedies under Subsection (a) and is aggrieved by a final decision of the division may seek judicial review of the decision. (d) Judicial review under Subsection (c) shall be conducted in the manner provided for judicial review of a contested case under Subchapter G, Chapter 2001, Government Code, and is governed by the substantial evidence rule. (e) A decision of the independent review organization is binding during the pendency of a dispute.