45 CFR § 150.441 - Prehearing conferences.
An ALJ may schedule one or more prehearing conferences (generally conducted by telephone) on the ALJ's own motion or at the request of either party for the purpose of any of the following:
(a) Hearing argument on any outstanding discovery request.
(b) Establishing a schedule for any supplements to the submissions required by § 150.437 because of information obtained through discovery.
(c) Hearing argument on a motion.
(d) Discussing whether the parties can agree to submission of the case on a stipulated record.
(e) Establishing a schedule for an in-person, telephone, or video teleconference hearing, including setting deadlines for the submission of written direct testimony or for the written reports of experts.
(f) Discussing whether the issues for a hearing can be simplified or narrowed.
(g) Discussing potential settlement of the case.
(h) Discussing any other procedural or substantive issues.