Appeal deadlines in Illinois
State outside review (4 months); Medicaid hearing deadline 60 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 Illinois
- Outside review
- 4 months
- Hearing deadline
- 60 days
- Appeal to the plan first
- 60 days
- Then a state hearing
- 120 days
- Appeal deadline – Get Covered Illinois
- 90 days
How each deadline is counted in Illinois
- Time to file
State law does not set a longer time to file. Use the deadline on your denial notice; federal rules give at least 180 days for most plans.
Law: 215 ILCS 134/45(b)-(e) (Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act)
- How fast the plan must decide
Urgent: 24 hours
- Deadline to ask
You must file within 4 months after you receive the denial notice. State law gives no extension.
Law: 215 ILCS 180/20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 42, 45, 70
- The deadline runs from
The date you receive the notice of the adverse determination or final adverse determination (denial)
- Hearing deadline
The date of the Department's notice of the action.
- Keeping your benefits during the appeal
Your benefits continue at the previous level if you file your appeal by the later of the date of the change or the 10th calendar day after the date of the notice.
How long do I have? Deadline calculator
Sources
The official sources for Illinois are listed on the Illinois page.