(a) At any time not later than the 10th day prior to the date set for a hearing, the carrier may file with the chair a withdrawal of objection to a disputed hospital bill for services rendered prior to October 1, 1994 in the form (A-3) prescribed by the chair for that purpose, in which event the chair shall refund to the hospital the $5 arbitration fee paid. If the parties settle their dispute after the 10th day prior to the date set for hearing, notice of settlement in the form (A-4) prescribed by the chair for that purpose shall be signed by all parties and filed with the chair on or before the date set for the hearing. The parties to such a settlement shall each pay to the chair a minimum arbitration fee of $5 in the manner provided in section 327.9 of this Part. Notwithstanding the foregoing, withdrawal of objection to, and settlement of, disputed hospital bills for services rendered on or after October 1, 1994 shall be subject to subdivision (b) of this section.

(b) The carrier may file with the chair on a form (HP-4) prescribed by the chair a notice of withdrawal of its explanation for nonpayment of a hospital's bill for services rendered on or after October 1, 1994 at any time not later than the 30th day prior to the date set for a hearing; provided, however, that if such form is received by the chair less than 30 days prior to the date set for a hearing the carrier shall pay to the chair a minimum arbitration fee of $5 in the manner provided in section 327.9 of this Part. If the parties settle their dispute prior to the date set for hearing, notice of settlement on the form (HP-4) prescribed by the chair for that purpose shall be signed by all parties and filed with the chair on or before the date set for the hearing. The parties to such a settlement shall each pay to the chair a minimum arbitration fee of $5 in the manner provided in section 327.9 of this Part.