Appeal deadlines in District of Columbia
State outside review (4 months); Medicaid hearing deadline 90 days.
Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.
Appeal deadlines are strict. If you are near a deadline or your care is urgent, call free help today.
Deadlines at a glance in the District of Columbia
- Outside review
- 4 months
- Hearing deadline
- 90 days
- Then a state hearing
- 120 days
- Appeal deadline – DC Health Link
- 90 days
How each deadline is counted in the District of Columbia
- Time to file
DC law does not set a longer time. Use the deadline on your denial notice; federal rules give at least 180 days for most plans.
Law: D.C. Code 44-301.06
- How fast the plan must decide
Urgent: 24 hours
- Deadline to ask
File a written request within 4 months from receipt of the written decision of your insurer's internal appeal, with a signed release of your medical records.
Law: D.C. Code 44-301.07
- The deadline runs from
The date you receive the insurer's written internal appeal decision
- Hearing deadline
The postmark date of the agency notice.
- Keeping your benefits during the appeal
For a Medicaid eligibility decision, your Medicaid continues if you appeal before it ends or within 15 days of the date of the notice, whichever is later.
How long do I have? Deadline calculator
Sources
The official sources for the District of Columbia are listed on the District of Columbia page.