§ 41.120. Limitations on scope of discovery.
(a) In addition to the general limitation on the scope of discovery and deposition in Pa.R.C.P. No. 4011 (relating to limitation of scope of discovery and deposition), the following limitations on discovery apply:
(1) Interrogatories to a party, as a matter of right, may not exceed ten in number. Interrogatories inquiring as to the names and locations of witnesses, or the existence, location and custodian of documents or physical evidence each will be construed as one interrogatory.
(i) Other interrogatories, including subdivisions of one numbered interrogatory, will be construed as separate interrogatories.
(ii) If counsel for a party believes that more than ten interrogatories are necessary, counsel shall consult with opposing counsel promptly and attempt to reach a written stipulation as to a reasonable number of additional interrogatories.
(iii) Counsel are expected to comply with this requirement in good faith. If the parties cannot agree on a written stipulation, the Bureau, upon motion of a party, may permit the party to serve additional interrogatories if the party establishes to the Bureau’s satisfaction that additional interrogatories are reasonable and necessary in light of the particular facts involved and that they will not prevent the prompt and efficient adjudication of the provider appeal.
(2) Request for admissions to a party, as a matter of right, will not exceed ten in number.
(i) Requests for admissions, including subdivisions of one numbered request, will be construed as a separate request.
(ii) If counsel for a party believes that more than ten requests for admission are necessary, counsel shall consult with opposing counsel promptly and attempt to reach a written stipulation as to a reasonable number of additional requests.
(iii) Counsel are expected to comply with this requirement in good faith. If the parties cannot agree on a written stipulation, the Bureau, upon motion of a party, may permit the party to serve additional requests for admission if the party establishes to the Bureau’s satisfaction that additional requests for admission are reasonable and necessary in light of the particular facts involved and that they will not prevent the prompt and efficient adjudication of the provider appeal.
(3) Depositions, as a matter of right, may not exceed three in number.
(i) A deposition of a person will not be permitted if the person has already been deposed in the appeal.
(ii) If counsel for a party believes that more than three depositions or that the deposition of a person who has already been deposed are necessary, counsel shall consult with opposing counsel promptly and attempt to reach a written stipulation as to a reasonable number of additional depositions.
(iii) Counsel are expected to comply with this requirement in good faith. If the parties cannot agree on a written stipulation, the Bureau, upon motion of a party, may permit the party to take additional depositions if the party establishes to the Bureau’s satisfaction that additional depositions are reasonable and necessary in light of the particular facts involved and that they will not prevent the prompt and efficient adjudication of the provider appeal.
(b) Unless the Secretary has been identified as a witness by the program office, a party may not depose the Secretary.
(c) Unless a senior Department official has been identified as a witness by the program office or agrees to submit to a deposition, a party may not depose a senior Department official regardless of the number of depositions taken, except that the Bureau, upon motion of a party, may permit the party to depose a senior Department official if the party establishes to the Bureau’s satisfaction that the following apply:
(1) The senior Department official was personally involved in the disputed agency action.
(2) The deposition of the senior Department official is reasonable and necessary in light of the particular facts involved and will not prevent the prompt and efficient adjudication of the provider appeal.
(d) The Bureau may issue protective orders limiting or precluding discovery in accordance with subsections (a)—(c) or as specified in Pa.R.C.P. No. 4012 (relating to protective orders).
(e) Subsections (a)—(d) supersede 1 Pa. Code § § 35.145—35.152 as the sections relate to discovery only.
Cross References This section cited in 55 Pa. Code § 41.81 (relating to consolidation of provider appeals); 55 Pa. Code § 41.92 (relating to expedited disposition procedure for certain appeals); 55 Pa. Code § 41.101 (relating to prehearing procedure in certain provider appeals); 55 Pa. Code § 41.111 (relating to disclosures); and 55 Pa. Code § 41.134 (relating to discovery motions).
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