(a) An ALJ may request, but may not require, CMS, the IRE, and/or the Part D plan sponsor to participate in any proceedings before the ALJ, including the oral hearing, if any.
(b) CMS, the IRE, and/or the Part D plan sponsor may request to participate in the hearing process.
(1) For non-expedited hearings, any request by CMS, the IRE, and/or the Part D plan sponsor to participate must be made within 5 calendar days of receipt of the notice of hearing.
(2) Within 5 calendar days of receipt of a request to participate in a non-expedited hearing, the ALJ must notify the entity, the Part D plan sponsor, if applicable and the enrollee of his or her decision on the request to participate.
(3) For expedited hearings, any request by CMS, the IRE, and/or the Part D plan sponsor to participate must be made within 1 calendar day of receipt of the notice of hearing. Requests may be made orally or submitted by facsimile to the hearing office.
(4) Within 1 calendar day of receipt of a request to participate in an expedited hearing, the ALJ must notify the entity, the Part D plan sponsor, if applicable, and the enrollee of his or her decision on the request to participate.
(c) The ALJ has discretion not to allow CMS, the IRE, and/or the Part D plan sponsor to participate.
(d) Participation may include filing position papers or providing written testimony to clarify factual or policy issues in a case, but it does not include calling witnesses or cross-examining the witnesses of an enrollee to the hearing.
(e) When CMS, the IRE, and/or the Part D plan sponsor participates in an ALJ hearing, CMS, the IRE, and/or the Part D plan sponsor may not be called as a witness during the hearing.
(f) CMS, the IRE, and/or the Part D plan sponsor must submit any position papers within the timeframe designated by the ALJ.
(g) The ALJ cannot draw any adverse inferences if CMS, the IRE, and/or the Part D plan sponsor decide not to participate in any proceedings before an ALJ, including the hearing.