Background

This transmittal amends chapter I-2-6 of the Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law (HALLEX) manual to provide updated instructions when an expert witness appears at an administrative law judge (ALJ) hearing by telephone. These revisions were necessary due to regulatory changes.

Explanation of Content and Changes

This transmittal revises I-2-6-70 and I-2-6-74 to clarify the necessary actions when an expert witness appears at a hearing via telephone. We made other minor editorial and formatting changes.

I-2-6-70 A – We reformatted the subsection to distinguish between actions taken by an ALJ and those taken by hearing office staff. We added language stating that hearing office staff will contact the medical expert to confirm the telephone number used during the hearing. We also made other editorial changes.

I-2-6-70 B – We made formatting and other minor editorial changes.

I-2-6-70 C – We made formatting and other minor editorial changes.

I-2-6-74 A – We reformatted the subsection to distinguish between actions taken by an ALJ and those taken by hearing office staff. We added language stating that hearing office staff will contact the vocational expert to confirm the telephone number used during the hearing. We also made other editorial changes.

I-2-6-74 B – We made formatting and other minor editorial changes.

I-2-6-74 C – We made formatting and other minor editorial changes.

I-2-6-74 D – We made minor editorial changes.

I-2-6-74 E – We made minor editorial changes, including removal of the term “determination” as administrative law judges issue decisions, not determinations.

Date: December 12, 2013