The HHS Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) is seeking public comments on ways to address the substantial growth in the number of hearing requests being filed with OMHA and the backlog of pending cases. In particular, OMHA is seeking suggestions related to current OMHA initiatives or other recommendations for addressing the increased workload and/or backlog of appeals at the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) level that comply with current statutory authorities and requirements. OMHA also seeks comments on whether there are any current regulations that apply to the ALJ level of the Medicare claim and entitlement appeals process that could be revised to streamline the adjudication process while ensuring that parties to the appeals are afforded opportunities to participate in the process and are kept apprised of their appeals.  Comments will be accepted until December 5, 2014.