WAC 388-526-0175 What is a prehearing meeting? (Emergency rule effective 6/10/12.)

1.  A prehearing meeting is an informal meeting with a health care authority (HCA) hearing representative that may be held before any prehearing conference or hearing.

2. An HCA hearing representative may contact you before the scheduled hearing to arrange a prehearing meeting. You may also contact the HCA hearing representative to request a prehearing meeting.

3. A prehearing meeting is voluntary. You are not required to request one, and you are not required to participate in one.

4. The prehearing meeting includes you and/or your representative, the HCA hearing representative, and any other party. An administrative law judge (ALJ) does not attend a prehearing meeting.

5. The prehearing meeting gives the parties an opportunity to:

a. Clarify issues;

b. Exchange documents and witness statements;

c. Resolve issues through agreement or withdrawal; and

d. Ask questions about the hearing process and the laws and rules that apply.

6. A prehearing meeting may be held or information exchanged:

a. In person;

b. By telephone conference call;

c. Through correspondence; or

d. Any combination of the above that is agreeable to the parties.

7. If a prehearing conference is required by the program or rule, a prehearing meeting may not be an option available to you.