Any person whose claim for benefits under the plan has been denied in whole or in part shall receive a notice from the committee setting forth the specific reasons for such denial, specific references to the plan provisions on which the denial was based and an explanation of the procedure for review of the denial.

Such person, or such person’s duly authorized representative, may appeal to the committee for a review of the denial by sending to the committee a written request for review within 60 days after receiving notice of the denial. The committee shall give the claimant the opportunity to review pertinent documents in preparing such request. The request for review shall set forth all grounds on which it is based, together with supporting facts and evidence, which the claimant deems pertinent. The committee may require the claimant to submit such additional facts, documents or other material as it deems necessary or advisable in making its review of the denial. Within 60 days after the receipt of the request for review, the committee shall communicate its decision to the claimant in writing, and if the committee confirms the denial, in whole or in part, the communication shall set forth the reasons for the decision and specific references to the plan provisions on which the decision is based. (Ord. 6748-NS § 1, 2003)