Background

This transmittal adds new section I-2-1-32 of the Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law (HALLEX) manual to provide hearing office processing instructions for issues relating to the conduct and qualifications of medical experts, vocational experts, and consultative examiners.

Explanation of Content and Changes

HALLEX I-2-1-32 – We titled the section, “Disqualification and Referrals of Medical Experts, Vocational Experts, or Consultative Examiners.”

HALLEX I-2-1-32 A – We titled the subsection “Notification of a Disqualification From Disability Determination Services” and included information about disqualified consultative examiners.

HALLEX I-2-1-32 B – We titled the subsection “Claimant Alleges Disqualification.” In the subsection, we explain how an administrative law judge or other designated hearing office personnel will handle allegations of medical disqualification in a particular case.

HALLEX I-2-1-32 C – We titled the subsection “HO Referrals of Medical Experts (ME), Vocational Experts (VE), or Consultative Examiners” and explain how hearing office personnel or adjudicators may refer an expert to management if further attention may be warranted. We also explain how management will handle the referral.

Date: July 18, 2014