Medicaid appeals in Alaska: hearing deadline and keeping benefits

Medicaid (Alaska Medicaid (and Denali KidCare)) denials in Alaska

Medicaid agency

Alaska Department of Health (Division of Public Assistance for eligibility; Alaska Medicaid office for services)

Who holds the hearing

Alaska Office of Administrative Hearings (requests go to the Department of Health, which refers them)

Hearing deadline

30 days

The date of the notice (the date on the letter)

If you are late

A late request can be accepted only if the administrative law judge finds, based on the evidence, that the request could not be filed on time.

How to ask for a hearing

• Mail: Medicaid service decisions: Attn: Fair Hearings, P.O. Box 240808, Anchorage, AK 99524
• Fax: Medicaid service decisions: 907-644-8126, Attn: Fair Hearings
• Online: Medicaid service decisions: email or text fairhearings@gainwelltechnologies.com
• Phone: Medicaid service decisions: 907-644-6800 or 1-800-780-9972 (Opt. 2, Opt. 3, Opt. 2)
• Form: Use the hearing request on the Notice of Recipient Fair Hearing Rights sent with your letter. For a Medicaid or Denali KidCare eligibility decision by the Division of Public Assistance, send your request to the address on your Division of Public Assistance notice.

health.alaska.gov · 1-800-780-9972

Mail address

Attn: Fair Hearings, P.O. Box 240808, Anchorage, AK 99524

What to include

A copy of the benefit decision, the completed hearing request (your name and relationship to the member, the member's name and Medicaid ID, phone, email and mailing address, and the specific program, service or decision you are appealing), any relevant medical records, and papers for any legal guardian or power of attorney. List anyone else who should get hearing notices.

Keeping your benefits during the appeal

If you are getting benefits and you ask for a hearing, your benefits may be continued automatically (or reinstated) until the final decision, unless you tell the Department you do not want them to continue. Federal rules may limit this (for example, where the law itself requires the change). If the decision goes against you, you may have to repay the cost.

Law: 7 AAC 49.190, 49.200; Alaska Department of Health, Notice of Recipient Fair Hearing Rights (rev. 2/1/2025); Alaska Department of Health, Notice of Recipient Fair Hearing Rights (rev. 42 CFR 431.230; 7 AAC 49.010-49.210

When the hearing is held

Within 10 days after receiving your request, the Department either denies it in writing with reasons or sends it to the Office of Administrative Hearings for scheduling. You get the documents the Department relied on before the hearing.

Law: 7 AAC 49.080; 7 AAC 49.010-49.210

Faster (expedited) hearing

You can ask for an expedited hearing if the usual time would jeopardize your life, health, or ability to attain, maintain or regain maximum function.

Law: 7 AAC 49.010-49.210

Write my appeal: free letters

Letter: Medicaid fair hearing request