42 CFR § 478.15 - QIO review of changes resulting from DRG validation.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t42/s478.15"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "42 CFR § 478.15 - QIO review of changes resulting from DRG validation."
title_number: 42
title_name: "Public Health"
section_number: "478.15"
section_name: "QIO review of changes resulting from DRG validation."
chapter_name: "CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "F"
subchapter_name: "QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ORGANIZATIONS"
part_number: "478"
part_name: "RECONSIDERATIONS AND APPEALS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Secs. 1102 and 1871 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1302 and 1395hh)."
cfr_part: "478"
---


# 478.15 QIO review of changes resulting from DRG validation.

(a) *General rules.* (1) A provider or practitioner dissatisfied with a change to the diagnostic or procedural coding information made by a QIO as a result of DRG validation under section 1866(a)(1)(F) of the Act is entitled to a review of that change if—

(i) The change caused an assignment of a different DRG; and

(ii) Resulted in a lower payment.

(2) A beneficiary may obtain a review of a QIO DRG coding change only if that change results in noncoverage of a furnished service.

(3) The individual who reviews changes in DRG procedural or diagnostic information must be a physician, and the individual who reviews changes in DRG coding must be qualified through training and experience with ICD-9-CM coding.

(b) *Procedures.* Procedures described in §§ 478.18 through 478.36 and 478.48(a) and (c) for a QIO reconsideration or reopening also apply to QIO review of a DRG coding change.

(c) *Finality of review.* No additional review or appeal for matters governed by paragraph (a) of this section is available.

[50 FR 15372, Apr. 17, 1985; 50 FR 41887, Oct. 16, 1985. Redesignated at 64 FR 66279, Nov. 24, 1999; 77 FR 68563, Nov. 15, 2012]