33-32-101. Purpose. The legislature finds and declares that it is the purpose of this chapter to:

(1) promote the delivery of quality health care in a cost-effective manner;

(2) foster greater coordination between health care providers, third-party payors, and others who conduct utilization review activities;

(3) ensure timely access to health care services;

(4) preserve the integrity of the health care provider and patient relationship;

(5) protect patients, employers, and health care providers by:

(a) ensuring that utilization review activities result in informed decisions on the appropriateness of medical care made by those best qualified to be involved in the utilization review process; and

(b) establishing the use of written clinical criteria for utilization review programs and reviews by appropriate health care providers to ensure a fair and transparent process for patients; and

(6) establish written standards and clinical criteria for the structure and operation of utilization review and benefit determination processes designed to facilitate ongoing assessment and management of health care services.