(a) General. Except as specified in paragraph (c) of this section, when an enrollee requests that the MAC review an ALJ's decision, the MAC will review the ALJ's decision de novo. The enrollee requesting review does not have a right to a hearing before the MAC. The MAC will consider all of the evidence admitted into the administrative record. Upon completion of its review, the MAC may adopt, modify, or reverse the ALJ's decision or remand the case to the ALJ for further proceedings. Unless the MAC's review is expedited as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, the MAC must issue its action no later than 90 calendar days after receiving the request for review, unless the 90 calendar day period has been extended as provided in this subpart.
(b) Review of ALJ's dismissal. When an enrollee requests that the MAC review an ALJ's dismissal, the MAC may deny review or vacate the dismissal and remand the case to the ALJ for further proceedings.
(c) MAC dismissal of request for review. The MAC will dismiss a request for review when the individual or entity requesting review does not have a right to a review by the MAC, or will dismiss the request for a hearing for any reason that the ALJ could have dismissed the request for hearing.
(d) Expedited reviews. (1) Standard for expedited reviews. The MAC must provide an expedited review if the appeal involves an issue specified in Sec. 423.566(b), but does not include solely a request for payment of Part D drugs already furnished, enrollee's prescribing physician or other prescriber indicates, or the MAC determines that applying the standard timeframe for making a decision may seriously jeopardize the enrollee's life or health or ability to regain maximum function. The MAC may consider this standard as met if a lower level adjudicator has granted a request for an expedited appeal.
(1) Standard for expedited reviews. The MAC must provide an expedited review if the appeal involves an issue specified in Sec. 423.566(b), but does not include solely a request for payment of Part D drugs already furnished, enrollee's prescribing physician or other prescriber indicates, or the MAC determines that applying the standard timeframe for making a decision may seriously jeopardize the enrollee's life or health or ability to regain maximum function. The MAC may consider this standard as met if a lower level adjudicator has granted a request for an expedited appeal.
(2) Grant of a request. If the MAC grants a request for expedited review, the MAC must:
(i) Make this decision within 5 calendar days of receipt of the request for expedited review;
(ii) Give the enrollee prompt oral notice of this decision; and
(iii) Issue a decision, dismissal order or remand, as expeditiously as the enrollee's health condition requires, but no later than the end of the 10 calendar day period beginning on the date the request for review is received by the entity specified in the ALJ's written notice of decision.
(3) Denial of a request. If the MAC denies a request for expedited review, the MAC must:
(i) Make this decision within 5 calendar days of receipt of the request for expedited review;
(ii) Give the enrollee and Part D plan sponsor within 5 calendar days of receiving the request written notice of the denial. The written notice must inform the enrollee of the denial and explain that the MAC will process the enrollee's request using the 90 calendar day timeframe for non-expedited reviews.
(4) Decision on a request. A decision on a request for expedited review may not be appealed.