(a) CMS and/or one or more of its contractors may be a party to an ALJ hearing unless the request for hearing is filed by an unrepresented beneficiary.
(b) CMS and/or the contractor(s) advises the ALJ, appellant, and all other parties identified in the notice of hearing that it intends to participate as a party no later than 10 calendar days after receiving the notice of hearing.
(c) When CMS or one or more of its contractors participate in a hearing as a party, it may file position papers, provide testimony to clarify factual or policy issues, call witnesses or cross-examine the witnesses of other parties. CMS or its contractor(s) will submit any position papers within the time frame specified by the ALJ. CMS or its contractor(s), when acting as parties, may also submit additional evidence to the ALJ within the time frame designated by the ALJ.
(d) The ALJ may not require CMS or a contractor to enter a case as a party or draw any adverse inferences if CMS or a contractor decides not to enter as a party. [70 FR 11472, Mar. 8, 2005, as amended at 74 FR 65335, Dec. 9, 2009]