Appeal deadlines in Maine

State outside review (12 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 Maine

Outside review: 12 months
Hearing deadline: 60 days
Appeal deadline – CoverME.gov: 90 days

How each deadline is counted in Maine

Time to file

Most insurers ask you to file your first level appeal in writing within 180 days of the denial. The denial notice must tell you the time limit. If your insurer says your appeal is too late, contact the Bureau of Insurance.

Law: 24-A M.R.S. 4303(4)

How fast the plan must decide

Standard: 30 days

Deadline to ask

You must make a written request to the Bureau of Insurance within 12 months of receiving the final internal appeal decision.

Law: 24-A M.R.S. 4312

The deadline runs from

The date you received the insurer's final adverse decision under its internal grievance process

Hearing deadline

The date of the MaineCare letter (decisions to deny, reduce or end covered services)

Keeping your benefits during the appeal

If you ask for a Fair Hearing within 10 days of the date on the letter, your current services continue until a decision is made. If you lose, you may have to repay the cost of services received while the appeal was pending.

How long do I have? Deadline calculator

Maine · Appeal deadline calculator

Sources

The official sources for Maine are listed on the Maine page.

National rules that apply in every state

You have at least 180 days (about 6 months) from when you receive the denial notice to file an internal appeal. Your plan can give you more time, not less.

Law: 29 CFR 2560.503-1(h)(3)(i); 45 CFR 147.136(b)(2)(i), (b)(3)(i)

Under the federal process you have 4 months from the date you receive the denial or final appeal decision to ask for external review. If there is no matching date 4 months later, the deadline is the first day of the fifth month. If the last day is a Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday, it moves to the next business day. State programs must allow at least 4 months; some allow more.

Law: 45 CFR 147.136(c)(2)(vi), (d)(2)(i)

Your state must give you a reasonable time to ask for a fair hearing, up to 90 days from the date the notice was mailed. Check your notice: your state's deadline may be shorter.

Law: 42 CFR 431.221(d)

You generally have 90 days from the date of your Eligibility Notice to appeal. If you are late, explain why when you file; you may be able to get an extension.

Law: 45 CFR 155.520(b), (d)(2)(i)(D); HealthCare.gov, What can I appeal?