Deadline guide
Track the 30-business-day federal open negotiation period, the four-business-day IDR initiation window, and later arbitration milestones.
Count business days from the retained source documents and current federal instructions. Holidays, Department extensions, portal relief, or a state-specific process can change the operative date.
Initial payment or denial
Save the remittance, denial notice, adjustment codes, QPA information, and delivery date. Verify the deadline to initiate open negotiation; it does not begin merely because the claim was underpaid.
30 business days
A valid open negotiation notice starts the required negotiation period. Preserve the notice, proof of delivery or portal submission, the stated start date, and every payer response.
4 business days
If no agreement is reached, either party generally may initiate IDR during the four-business-day window beginning on the business day after open negotiation ends.
3 business days after initiation
The parties attempt to agree on a certified IDR entity. If they do not agree, the federal selection process and related notice deadlines apply.
10 business days after entity selection
Each party submits a final payment offer and permitted supporting information to the certified IDR entity and pays the required fees.
30 business days after entity selection
The certified IDR entity selects one of the submitted offers. Any payment due after the determination is generally due within 30 calendar days.
Operational guidance
This guide is educational, not a claim-level routing determination. Verify the current federal instructions, plan and payer facts, state law, and exact dates before filing.