42 CFR § 422.664 - Postponement of effective date of a contract determination when a request for a hearing is filed timely.
(a) Hearing. When a request for a hearing is timely filed, CMS will postpone the proposed effective date of the contract determination listed at 422.641 until a hearing decision is reached and affirmed by the Administrator following review according to 422.692 in instances where an MA organization or CMS requests Administrator review and the Administrator accepts the matter for review.
(b) Exceptions: (1) If a final decision is not reached on CMS' determination for an initial contract by September 1, CMS will not enter into a contract with the applicant for the following year.
(2) A contract terminated in accordance with § 422.510(b)(2)(i) of this part will be terminated on the date specified by CMS and will not be postponed if a hearing is requested.