(1) Both the appellant and the authority may request review of an initial order. An appellant who has received an initial order upholding an employing agency decision, a public employees benefits board (PEBB) program decision, or a decision made by a PEBB program contracted vendor, may request review of the initial order or an oral request with the PEBB appeals unit within 20 days after service of the initial order. The written or oral request for review of the initial order must be made by using the contact information included in the initial order. If such review is requested, the hearing officer or their designee from the authority, shall issue a final order in accordance with WAC 182-16-3030. If the appellant fails to request review of the initial order within 20 days, the initial order becomes the authority's final order without further action.

(2) Upon timely request by the appellant, a review of an initial order will be performed by one or more reviewing officers designated by the director of the authority.

(3) If the appellant has not requested review of the initial order, the authority may review an initial order issued by the office of administrative hearings on its own, and without notice to the parties, but it may not take action on review less favorable to any party than the initial order without giving that party notice and an opportunity to explain that party's view of the matter.