(a) When a request for an ALJ hearing is filed after a QIC has issued a reconsideration, the ALJ must issue a decision, dismissal order, or remand to the QIC, as appropriate, no later than the end of the 90 calendar day period beginning on the date the request for hearing is received by the entity specified in the QIC's notice of reconsideration, unless the 90 calendar day period has been extended as provided in this subpart.
(b) The adjudication period specified in paragraph (a) of this section begins on the date that a timely filed request for hearing is received by the entity specified in the QIC's reconsideration, or, if it is not timely filed, the date that the ALJ grants any extension to the filing deadline.
(c) When an appeal is escalated to the ALJ level because the QIC has not issued a reconsideration determination within the period specified in Sec. 405.970, the ALJ must issue a decision, dismissal order, or remand to the QIC, as appropriate, no later than the end of the 180 calendar day period beginning on the date that the request for escalation is received by the ALJ hearing office, unless the 180 calendar day period is extended as provided in this subpart.
(d) When CMS or its contractor is a party to an ALJ hearing and a party requests discovery under Sec. 405.1037 against another party to the hearing, the adjudication periods discussed in paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section are tolled. [70 FR 11472, Mar. 8, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 37703, June 30, 2005; 74 FR 65335, Dec. 9, 2009]