I-2-5-39.Obtaining Medical Expert Opinion at the Hearing

When an administrative law judge (ALJ) obtains a medical expert (ME) opinion during a hearing, the ALJ will generally explain why the ME is present before his or her opening statement. See Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law (HALLEX) manual I-2-6-50. For detailed instructions on obtaining ME testimony at a hearing, see HALLEX I-2-6-70. For more information about opening statements, see HALLEX I-2-6-52.