(1) An appellant who has received an initial order upholding an employing agency decision, public employees benefits board (PEBB) program decision, or a decision made by a PEBB program contracted vendor, may request review of the initial order by the authority. The appellant must file a written request for review of the initial order or make an oral request for review of the initial order with the PEBB appeals unit within twenty-one 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 the appellant fails to request review of the initial order within twenty-one 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 review officers designated by the director of the authority.

(3) If the appellant has not requested review, the authority may review an order resulting from a brief adjudicative proceeding 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.