N.M. Admin. Code § 8.354.2.15

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 23, December 10, 2024

Section 8.354.2.15 - CONDUCTING THE HSD ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING

A HSD administrative hearing is conducted in an orderly manner and in an informal atmosphere. The HSD administrative hearing is normally conducted telephonically and is not open to the general public. The assigned ALJ has the authority to limit the number of persons in attendance as necessary for the ALJ to control the hearing.

A.Opening the hearing: The HSD administrative hearing is opened by the assigned ALJ. All individuals present at the hearing must identify themselves for the record, including when the claimant or the claimant's authorized representative has other representation or legal counsel to assist him or her during the HSD administrative hearing. The ALJ shall explain his or her role in conducting the HSD administrative hearing that he or she will submit the record of the HSD administrative hearing to the MAD director and that the final decision of the HSD administrative hearing will be made by the MAD director or designee after review of the record of the HSD administrative hearing.

B.Order of testimony: The order of testimony is described, and the oath is administered to all who will testify at the HSD administrative hearing. Because the burden of proof is with MAD, it is at the claimant or the claimant's authorized representative's discretion to call witnesses or to present evidence. The order of testimony at the HSD administrative hearing is as follows:

(1) opening statements of parties, authorized representatives, or designees, or if the claimant or the claimant's authorized representative through a signed statement has identified a designated spokesperson or legal counsel to assist him or her during the HSD administrative hearing process;

(2) presentation of MAD's case; if witnesses are called, the order of examination of each witness is:

(a) examination by MAD, its UR contractor, the MCO or their designees or other MAD designees;

(b) cross examination by the claimant, the claimant's authorized representative, designated spokesperson, or his or her legal counsel; and

(c) MAD's opportunity to redirect the witness;

(3) presentation of the claimant's case is at the claimant or the claimant's authorized representative discretion; if witnesses are called, the order of examination of each witness is:

(a) examination by claimant or the claimant's authorized representative, designated spokesperson or legal counsel;

(b) cross examination by MAD, its UR contractor, the MCO or their designees or another MAD designees and

(c) the claimant, claimant's authorized representative or designated spokesperson, or legal counsel's opportunity to redirect the witness;

(4) presentation of rebuttal evidence by MAD, its UR contractor, the MCO or their designees or another MAD designees and the claimant or the claimant's authorized representative, designated spokesperson or legal counsel respectively;

(5) the ALJ may direct further questions to any of the parties to the HSD administrative hearing to clarify inconsistencies or obtain an adequate evidentiary record; and

(6) the ALJ may ask specific parties to summarize and present closing arguments.

C.Points of law: The ALJ may direct the parties who have legal counsel to submit memoranda on points of law to assist the ALJ develop the HSD administrative hearing record and recommendation letter. The ALJ may dictate the length and scope of these submissions.

D.Written closing argument: At the discretion of the ALJ, the parties may be directed to make closing arguments, or submit written memoranda on points of law.

E.Continuance: The ALJ may, at his or her discretion, continue the HSD administrative hearing upon the request of the parties to the HSD administrative hearing or the ALJ's own motion, to allow for the admission of additional testimony or evidence. The reasons for the continuance must be clearly stated for the record. Written notice of the date, time, and place of the continued HSD administrative hearing shall be sent to the parties if they are not set at the time of the approval of the continuance.

F.Additional evidence: If the ALJ requires additional evidence to further clarify documentary evidence presented during the HSD administrative hearing, he or she may close the HSD administrative hearing but keep the record open and direct the parties to submit such clarifying evidence. The assigned ALJ shall provide each party to the HSD administrative hearing with a copy of the direction for further evidence and the documentary evidence to be submitted. Any party may respond to the ALJ's direction, in writing, within 10 calendar days of its receipt of the ALJ's notice. The ALJ will provide the other parties to the HSD administrative hearing a copy of any such submissions and the additional evidence and responses, subject to the ALJ's discretion and appropriate objections by any of the parties to the HSD administrative hearing, shall become part of the HSD administrative hearing record.

G.Re-opening a closed HSD administrative hearing: The ALJ may at his or her discretion, or subject to an order from a court of competent jurisdiction, or at the request of the MAD director may re-open a closed HSD administrative hearing when the evidentiary record fails to address an issue that is relevant to resolution of the HSD administrative hearing request. Written notice of the date, time and place of the re-opened HSD administrative hearing shall be sent by the ALJ to the parties not less than 10 calendar days before the re-opened HSD administrative hearing. Once the MAD director or designee has issued an HSD administrative final decision, the HSD administrative hearing cannot be re-opened absent an order from a court of competent jurisdiction. A claimant or the claimant's authorized representative may request a new HSD administrative hearing if additional material information becomes available that was not available at the time of the first HSD administrative hearing. The previously assigned ALJ has the discretion to determine if the additional information would necessitate a new HSD administrative hearing.

N.M. Admin. Code § 8.354.2.15

8.354.2.15 NMAC - Rp, 8.354.2.13 NMAC, 8/1/14