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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Office of Appellate Operations
HALLEX
Chapter HA 012 TN 274
Subchapter: HA 01250
Subject: When to Obtain Medical Expert Opinion
Background
This transmittal revises section HA 01250.034 of the Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law (HALLEX) manual to establish a process requiring Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) to provide a memorandum explaining their rationale for ordering a medical expert (ME) to their Hearing Office Chief ALJ (HOCALJ).
Explanation of Content and Changes
HA 01250.034 – This transmittal revises HALLEX HA 01250.034 as follows:
01250.034A – We added introductory language to section A explaining the difference between situations where an ME opinion is required and when it is discretionary. We modified language in section A.1 to further clarify when obtaining an ME opinion is required. In subsection A.2, we consolidated discretionary requests for ME opinions.
01250.034B – We renamed and rewrote this section to address the need for an ALJ to send a memorandum outlining their rationale for ordering an ME to their HOCALJ. We added language explaining what information must be included in the memorandum.
Date: April 27, 2026