(a) General rule. Within 60 calendar days of the date the QIC receives a timely filed request for reconsideration or any additional time provided by paragraph (b) of this section, the QIC mails, or otherwise transmits to the parties at their last known addresses, written notice of--
(1) The reconsideration;
(2) Its inability to complete its review within 60 calendar days in accordance with paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section; or
(3) Dismissal.
(b) Exceptions. (1) If a QIC grants an appellant's request for an extension of the 180 calendar day filing deadline made in accordance with Sec. 405.962(b), the QIC's 60 calendar day decision-making timeframe begins on the date the QIC receives the late filed request for reconsideration, or when the request for an extension that meets the requirements of Sec. 405.962(b) is granted, whichever is later.
(1) If a QIC grants an appellant's request for an extension of the 180 calendar day filing deadline made in accordance with Sec. 405.962(b), the QIC's 60 calendar day decision-making timeframe begins on the date the QIC receives the late filed request for reconsideration, or when the request for an extension that meets the requirements of Sec. 405.962(b) is granted, whichever is later.
(2) If a QIC receives timely requests for reconsideration from multiple parties, consistent with Sec. 405.964(c), the QIC must issue a reconsideration, notice that it cannot complete its review, or dismissal within 60 calendar days for each submission of the latest filed request.
(3) Each time a party submits additional evidence after the request for reconsideration is filed, the QIC's 60 calendar day decisionmaking timeframe is extended by up to 14 calendar days for each submission, consistent with Sec. 405.966(b).
(c) Responsibilities of the QIC. Within 60 calendar days of receiving a request for a reconsideration, or any additional time provided for under paragraph (b) of this section, a QIC must take one of the following actions:
(1) Notify all parties of its reconsideration, consistent with Sec. 405.976.
(2) Notify the parties that it cannot complete the reconsideration by the deadline specified in paragraph (b) of this section and offer the appellant the opportunity to escalate the appeal to an ALJ. The QIC continues to process the reconsideration unless it receives a written request from the appellant to escalate the case to an ALJ after the adjudication period has expired.
(d) Responsibilities of the appellant. If an appellant wishes to exercise the option of escalating the case to an ALJ, the appellant must notify the QIC in writing.
(e) Actions following appellant's notice. (1) If the appellant fails to notify the QIC, or notifies the QIC that the appellant does not choose to escalate the case, the QIC completes its reconsideration and notifies the appellant of its action consistent with Sec. 405.972 or Sec. 405.976.
(1) If the appellant fails to notify the QIC, or notifies the QIC that the appellant does not choose to escalate the case, the QIC completes its reconsideration and notifies the appellant of its action consistent with Sec. 405.972 or Sec. 405.976.
(2) If the appellant notifies the QIC that the appellant wishes to escalate the case, the QIC must take one of the following actions within 5 calendar days of receipt of the notice or 5 calendar days from the end of the applicable adjudication period under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section:
(i) Complete its reconsideration and notify all parties of its decision consistent with Sec. 405.972 or Sec. 405.976.
(ii) Acknowledge the escalation notice in writing and forward the case file to the ALJ hearing office. [70 FR 11472, Mar. 8, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 37702, June 30, 2005; 74 FR 65334, Dec. 9, 2009]