Okla. Stat. tit. 63, § 63-1-1914.8: Informal dispute resolution - Procedure

A. 1. In all informal dispute resolution cases except record

review, the State Department of Health shall present the initial

arguments.

2. The facility shall then present its arguments.

B. 1. The informal dispute resolution shall be limited to no

more than two (2) hours in length, with each party being permitted

one (1) hour to present its arguments.

2. However, the impartial decision maker may grant each party

additional equal time for good cause as determined by the impartial

decision maker.

C. 1. Rules of evidence or procedure shall not apply to the

informal dispute resolution except as provided in this section.

2. The impartial decision maker may:

a. accept any information that the impartial decision

maker deems material to the issue being presented, and

b. reject any information that the impartial decision

maker deems immaterial to the issue being presented.

D. 1. The informal dispute resolution may not be recorded.

2. However, the impartial decision maker may make written or

recorded notes of the arguments.

E. Only employees of the facility, attending physicians of

residents of the facility at the time of the deficiency, pharmacists

providing medications to residents of the facility at the time of

the deficiency, and consultant pharmacists or nurse consultants

utilized by the facility, or the medical director of the facility

may appear or participate in the informal dispute resolution for, or

on the behalf of, the facility.

F. Only employees of the Department may appear or participate

at the meeting for, or on behalf of, the Department.

G. The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, or designee, may appear

at, or participate in, the meeting.

H. No party may be represented by an attorney.