(1) The department may grant exceptions to the geographic accessibility standard in ARM 37.108.219 if good cause to do so exists.

(2) Good cause includes but is not limited to the circumstance where the health carrier has documented a good faith effort to negotiate a contract with local providers but has failed to reach an agreement within 60 days after the offer of a written contract from the health carrier. A good faith effort means an honest effort with the intent to deal fairly with providers and includes offering terms and conditions at least as favorable as those offered to other entities providing the same or similar services.