diff --git a/src/prompts/prompt_templates.py b/src/prompts/prompt_templates.py
index 01eebc4..abd8e58 100644
--- a/src/prompts/prompt_templates.py
+++ b/src/prompts/prompt_templates.py
@@ -650,26 +650,52 @@ DECISION LOGIC:
    Keep only statements whose scope matches SERVICE:
    - "All services in this exhibit" / "All services" / "All covered services" → applies to any service
    - "Inpatient services only" → does NOT apply to outpatient services
-   - Lesser-of statements containing "listed below", "rates below", "set forth below" 
+   - Lesser-of statements containing "listed below", "rates below", "set forth below"
      → applies to ANY service rate that appears after that statement in the exhibit text,
-        regardless of section headers
-   
+       regardless of section headers
+
+   EXCEPTION CLAUSE HANDLING:
+   - If a lesser-of statement has an exception clause (e.g., "except for services in Table X",
+     "excluding procedures listed below"), and SERVICE appears in that exception list:
+
+     a) The ENTIRE payment rule in that sentence/paragraph does NOT apply to SERVICE.
+        This includes all comparisons, caps, and conditions within that grammatical unit.
+
+     b) ONLY overarching constraints still apply to SERVICE.
+        Test: Can this constraint be read independently without referencing the excepted statement?
+        If YES → it still applies
+        If NO → it's part of the excepted rule and does NOT apply
+
+     c) ALWAYS re-scan the exhibit text for standalone constraints after excluding the payment rule.
+        Do not stop at step (a) — even if the main rule is excluded, independent constraints MUST be applied.
+
+   Examples:
+   - SEPARATE sentence: "In no event shall reimbursement exceed the amount billed by Provider."
+     → Still applies (passes independence test — standalone constraint)
+   - SAME sentence: "Compensation shall be the lesser of 80% of the scheduled fee or usual
+     and customary charges, capped at the Provider's submitted amount"
+     → Does NOT apply (entire grammatical unit is the excepted rule)
+
    If nothing applies → return N/A
 
 3. COMBINE & FORMAT
 
-   Substitution rules:
+   Substitution:
    - Replace generic "rates" / "contracted rates" with METHODOLOGY value
-   - Preserve original "lesser of" phrasing (don't add if not present)
+   - Preserve original phrasing exactly — do not paraphrase, abbreviate, or alter wording
+   - Do not include service code or description in the output
+   - Deduplicate identical constraints
    - Join multiple terms: "lesser of X, Y, or Z"
 
-OUTPUT FORMAT:
-Return a JSON list with a single string containing the combined statement.
-
-Examples:
-- ["Lab Test paid at lesser of $100, billed charges, or 110% Medicare"]
-- ["Radiology paid at $250 or charges"]
-- ["N/A"]
+   Validation:
+   - The output string MUST contain METHODOLOGY value
+   - If METHODOLOGY is a simple rate (e.g., "$30.00") and is missing from the final string, prepend it
+   - If METHODOLOGY is a complex formula (e.g., "80% of State Medicaid fee schedule", "the lesser of (i) X or (ii) Y"), verify it appears as the base of the output
+   
+   Examples:
+   - ["lesser of $100, billed charges, or 110% Medicare"]
+   - ["$30.00 not to exceed Provider's billed charges"]
+   - ["N/A"]
 
 Example — Intra-exhibit statement references another exhibit → N/A:
 - METHODOLOGY: "per visit basis at payment rates established in Attachment A"