Which of the following is NOT a settlement option in an accepted claim?

In the context of accepted claims and settlement options, it's important to understand the various mechanisms available for resolving disputes or settling claims. A Negotiated Settlement (NS) is not recognized as an official settlement option within accepted claims.

A Claims Disposition Agreement (CDA) serves as a resolution method where both parties agree to settle the matter after negotiations. A Disputed Claim Settlement (DCS) is used when a claim is disputed, allowing for a settlement to be reached that is acceptable to both parties involved. Additionally, a Stipulation and Order (Stip) is a formal agreement that is submitted to the court, typically after negotiations, to settle a dispute regarding a claim.

In contrast, while negotiated settlements can occur in practice, they do not fit into the official framework of settlement options recognized for accepted claims within the given context. This makes Negotiated Settlement the correct answer as it is not a defined settlement option like the other choices.