Types of orders

Prehearing meeting ( WAC 182-526-0175 ): This is an informal meeting between HCA and the appellant and does not involve the ALJ. It can take place by phone, email, or in-person. The purpose is to:

Clarify the issue(s).

Exchange information.

Resolve any issues through an agreement or withdrawal.

Explain any rules or laws and answer questions.

Notice of hearing ( WAC 182-526-0255 ): This is a formal notice of the date, time, and location of the administrative hearing. This notice is sent to all parties, including the appellant and all agencies involved, such as HCA, DSHS (if the hearing is about a Classic Medicaid case), and OAH. It includes:

A copy of the request for an administrative hearing

Contact information for the parties

The docket numbers,

A summary of the appellant's legal rights

A referral to potentially free legal resources that are available.

Prehearing conference ( WAC 182-526-0195 ): This is a formal notice of a meeting mailed to all parties and includes HCA, the appellant, and an ALJ. This can be used to: Clarify any issues Set deadlines, Agree to a continuance, Resolve the dispute, Determine eligibility for continued coverage, Address other issues. If the appellant fails to show, the ALJ may issue an order of default and dismiss the hearing.

Order of dismissal ( WAC 182-526-0285 ): This is an order issued by an ALJ when an appellant withdraws the hearing request or does not appear for the hearing. The most common reasons for an order of dismissal are:

Default/no show: The appellant fails to appear.

Withdrawal: The appellant withdrew their request for hearing.

An appellant can request in writing that an Order of Dismissal be vacated (i.e., canceled) or set aside (see WAC 182-526-0290). A prehearing conference is scheduled. The ALJ issues a written order which will explain whether the appellant has established good cause (see WAC 182-526-0020) to have the hearing reinstated. If the ALJ determines good cause exists to vacate the dismissal order, the ALJ schedules a hearing.

Order of Continuance ( WAC 182-526-0280 ): A continuance is a rescheduling of a hearing to a later time or date. If a party would like a continuance, the party must see if the other parties agree. If so, an order of continuance is issued by OAH. If any of the other parties disagrees with the continuance, a prehearing conference is held. The ALJ either approves or denies the continuance request after the conference.

Initial decision ( WAC 182-526-0520 to WAC 182-526-0595 ): The decision issued by the ALJ who presided at the hearing. The initial decision becomes the final decision if it is not appealed by either party within 21 calendar days after OAH mails the order. The ALJ who conducted the hearing is responsible for writing the initial decision and mail a copy to all parties. The order will:

List all parties, witnesses, and exhibits (evidence).

Determine the facts of the case.

Explain why evidence or a witness is or is not credible.

State the applicable laws and rules that apply to the issue.

Discuss the reasons for the decision and how the laws apply to it.

State the result and remedy being ordered and

Explain the appeals process.

Request for Reconsideration ( WAC 182-526-0560 to WAC 182-526-0635 ): When the ALJ issues an initial order, any party may request the ALJ to reconsider the decision. The request for reconsideration must be received by OAH on or before the 10th calendar day after the initial order was mailed. The ALJ can only consider evidence that was presented in the hearing unless the ALJ reopens the hearing record (see WAC 182-526-0500 ). The ALJ will issue a written order in response to the request for reconsideration.

Judicial Review ( WAC 182-526-0640 to WAC 182-526-0650 ): Only the appellant has the right to request a judicial review of the final agency decision in superior court. Instructions regarding requesting judicial review are attached to the initial decision.