Medicaid appeals in Maryland: hearing deadline and keeping benefits
Maryland Medicaid (Medical Assistance), including HealthChoice managed care; Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP): you have 90 days to ask for a fair hearing.
To keep your Medicaid while your appeal is pending, appeal within 10 calendar days of the date on your notice, the postmark, or the effective date of the action, whichever is later.
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.
Medicaid (Maryland Medicaid (Medical Assistance), including HealthChoice managed care; Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP)) denials in Maryland
- Medicaid agency
Maryland Department of Health (MDH)
- Who holds the hearing
Maryland Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH)
- Hearing deadline
90 days
The date on your notice
Source: the state rule says within 90 days of receiving the notice
- How to ask for a hearing
- Online: MDH online Medicaid Request for Fair Hearing form (you get an email confirming it was received)
- Email: Mdh.medicaidappeals@maryland.gov
- Fax: MDH Medicaid Appeals, 410-333-5154
- Mail: Maryland Department of Health, Attention: Medicaid Appeals, 201 West Preston St., L9, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Phone: For eligibility decisions made through Maryland Health Connection, call 1-855-642-8572; the state rule also allows requests by telephone for service denials
- Form: For eligibility decisions: Maryland Health Connection 'Request for Case Review or Fair Hearing' form, by mail, email (MHBE.Appeals@maryland.gov) or to the Office of Administrative Hearings, 11101 Gilroy Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21031 (fax 410-690-8863)
www.cognitoforms.com · 410-767-6500 or 1-877-463-3464 (Maryland Department of Health)
- Mail address
Maryland Department of Health, Attention: Medicaid Appeals, 201 West Preston St., L9, Baltimore, MD 21201
- What to include
A clear statement, oral or written, that you want a hearing about the decision. For eligibility appeals, the Maryland Health Connection form asks for your name, date of birth, address, phone, application ID, the date on the notice, and why you want a hearing.
- Keeping your benefits during the appeal
To keep your Medicaid while your appeal is pending, appeal within 10 calendar days of the date on your notice, the postmark, or the effective date of the action, whichever is later. For example, if the notice is dated June 20, postmarked June 24 and your coverage ends June 30, appeal within 10 days of June 30. You may have to pay back benefits if you lose.
Law: COMAR 10.01.04; COMAR 42 CFR 431.230; COMAR 10.01.04.04
- Faster (expedited) hearing
If the Department finds that waiting for a standard hearing could seriously jeopardize your life, health or ability to attain, maintain or regain maximum function, the appeal is marked for expedited resolution and must be heard and decided within 3 working days after the Office of Administrative Hearings receives the request.
Law: COMAR 10.01.04.04
- Ombudsman
Medicaid health plan (managed care) in Maryland
- Appeal to the plan first
If you are in a HealthChoice managed care organization (MCO), first appeal to your plan within 60 days from the date on your denial notice; the plan's contact details are on your member ID card and in your member handbook. If the plan says no, a fair hearing request about services provided or denied by an MCO must be sent within 120 days of receiving the notice. Disputes about MCO enrollment, selection or change cannot be appealed to a hearing; call the HealthChoice Help Line at 1-800-284-4510.
- Then a state hearing
120 days
The date you receive the notice of the plan's appeal decision
Law: COMAR 10.01.04.04D(1); COMAR 42 CFR 438.402
Write my appeal: free letters
Sources
The official sources for Maryland are listed on the Maryland page.