The expanding role of independent review organizations (IROs) in handling consumer-originated external appeals of health plan coverage decisions under health reform is the subject of a morning seminar slated for later this winter in Manhattan. Sponsored by the Northeast Business Group on Health (NEBGH) and moderated by IPRO, the session will examine the intricacies of appeals rights and procedures, both in the Affordable Care Act and in implementing regulations issued jointly by the US Department of Justice, the US Department of Health & Human Services and the US Department of Labor. IPRO is one of a handful of organizations already conducting external IRO reviews under state law. Health reform mandates expansion of external review rights to all Americans with private health plan coverage-whether fee-for-service or managed care-including newly insureds and enrollees in self-insured plan offerings. The total number of individuals with new appeals rights is scheduled to reach 41 million this year. For more information about this breakfast event, including registration, contact Jennifer Cole at NEBGH at jcole@nebgh.org, (212) 252-7440, ext 223.