Medicare Appeals Council review: general

(a) An enrollee who is dissatisfied with an ALJ's or attorney adjudicator's decision or dismissal may request that the Council review the ALJ's or attorney adjudicator's decision or dismissal.

(b) When the Council reviews an ALJ's or attorney adjudicator's written decision, it undertakes a de novo review.

(c) The Council issues a final decision, dismissal order, or remands a case to the ALJ or attorney adjudicator no later than the end of the 90 calendar day period beginning on the date the request for review is received (by the entity specified in the ALJ's or attorney adjudicator's written notice of decision), unless the 90 calendar day period is extended as provided in this subpart or the enrollee requests expedited Council review.