§ 405.718 - Expedited appeals process.

(a) Conditions for use of expedited appeals process (EAP). A party may use the EAP to request court review in place of an administrative law judge (ALJ) hearing or Departmental Appeals Board (DAB) review if the following conditions are met:

(1) CMS has made a reconsideration determination; an ALJ has made a hearing decision; or DAB review has been requested, but a final decision has not been issued.

(2) The filing entity is a party referred to in § 405.718(d).

(3) The party has filed a request for an ALJ hearing in accordance with § 405.722, or DAB review in accordance with 20 CFR 404.968.

(4) The amount remaining in controversy is $1,000 or more.

(5) If there is more than one party to the reconsideration determination or hearing decision, each party concurs, in writing, with the request for the EAP.

(b) Content of the request for EAP. The request for the EAP:

(1) Alleges that there are no material issues of fact in dispute; and

(2) Asserts that the only factor precluding a decision favorable to the party is a statutory provision that is unconstitutional or a regulation, national coverage decision under section 1862(a)(1) of the Act, or CMS Ruling that is invalid.

(c) Place and time for requesting an EAP—(1) Place for filing request. The person must file a written request—

(i) At an office of SSA or CMS; or

(ii) If the person is in the Philippines, at the Veterans Administration Regional Office or with an ALJ; or

(iii) If the person is a qualified railroad retirement beneficiary, at an office of the Railroad Retirement Board.

(2) Time of filing request. The party may file a request for the EAP—

(i) If the party has requested a hearing, at any time prior to receipt of the notice of the ALJ's decision;

(ii) Within 60 days after the date of receipt of notice of the ALJ's decision or dismissal, unless the time is extended in accordance with the standards set out in 20 CFR 404.925(c). For purposes of this section, the date of receipt of the notice is presumed to be 5 days after the date on the notice, unless it is shown that the notice was received later; or

(iii) If the party has requested DAB review, at any time prior to receipt of notice of the Board's decision.

(d) Parties to the EAP. The parties to the EAP are the persons who were parties to the reconsideration determination and, if appropriate, to the hearing.

(e) Determination on request for EAP. (1) For EAP requests initiated at the ALJ level, an ALJ determines whether all conditions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section are met.

(2) If a hearing decision has been issued, the DAB determines whether all conditions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section are met.

(f) ALJ or DAB certification for the EAP. If the party meets the requirements for the EAP, the ALJ or the DAB, as appropriate, certifies the case in writing stating that:

(1) The facts involved in the claim are not in dispute;

(2) Except as indicated in paragraph (f)(3) of this section, CMS's interpretation of the law is not in dispute;

(3) The sole issue(s) in dispute is the constitutionality of a statutory provision or the validity of a regulation, CMS Ruling, or national coverage decision based on section 1862(a)(1) of the Act.

(4) Except for the provision challenged, the right(s) of the party is established; and

(5) The determination or decision made by the ALJ or DAB is final for purposes of seeking judicial review.

(g) Effect of ALJ or DAB certification. (1) Following the issuance of the certification described in paragraph (f) of this section, the party waives completion of the remaining steps of the administrative appeals process.

(2) The 60-day period for filing a civil suit in a Federal district court begins on the date of receipt of the ALJ or DAB certification.

(h) Effect of a request for EAP that does not result in certification. If a request for the EAP does not meet all the conditions for use of the process, the ALJ or DAB so advises the party and treats the request as a request for hearing or DAB review, as appropriate.