§ 405.1040 Prehearing and posthearing conferences.

(a) The ALJ may decide on his or her own, or at the request of any party to the hearing, to hold a prehearing or posthearing conference to facilitate the hearing or the hearing decision.

(b) The ALJ informs the parties who will be or were sent a notice of hearing in accordance with § 405.1020(c), and CMS or a contractor that has elected to be a participant in the proceedings or party to the hearing at the time the notice of conference is sent, of the time, place, and purpose of the conference at least 7 calendar days before the conference date, unless a party indicates in writing that it does not wish to receive a written notice of the conference.