Medicaid appeals in Missouri: hearing deadline and keeping benefits
MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid): you have 90 days to ask for a fair hearing.
If you want your benefits to continue while your hearing is pending, you must request a hearing within 10 days from the date shown on the Action Notice.
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 (MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid)) denials in Missouri
- Medicaid agency
Missouri Department of Social Services: Family Support Division (FSD, eligibility) and MO HealthNet Division
- Who holds the hearing
Missouri Department of Social Services, Division of Legal Services, Administrative (Benefit) Hearings Unit
- Hearing deadline
90 days
The date shown on your Action Notice
- How to ask for a hearing
- Form: Complete the Hearing Request form (IM-85) and send it with any supporting documents
- Online: Email the form to IMHearings.FSD@dss.mo.gov
- Fax: 573-526-4554
- Mail: Family Support Division, PO Box 2700, Jefferson City, MO 65102
- In person: Your local FSD Resource Center
- Mail address
Family Support Division, PO Box 2700, Jefferson City, MO 65102
- Keeping your benefits during the appeal
If you want your benefits to continue while your hearing is pending, you must request a hearing within 10 days from the date shown on the Action Notice. If you ask later (within the 90 days), benefits do not continue at their prior level while you wait.
Law: RSMo 208.080(3)-(4)
- When the hearing is held
Once your form is processed, the Administrative Hearings Unit mails you a notice with the date and time of your hearing and how to take part. Hearings are usually held by phone from your county office; you can ask for an in-person hearing at your county office. You can see FSD's documents at the county office two days before the hearing.
Law: RSMo 208.080
Medicaid health plan (managed care) in Missouri
- Appeal to the plan first
If you are in a MO HealthNet Managed Care health plan (Healthy Blue, Home State Health or UnitedHealthcare), contact your plan by phone or mail to appeal within 60 days from the date on your notice of adverse benefit determination. Your plan's member handbook explains how. You can ask for a State Fair Hearing after your appeal to the health plan is finished.
Law: RSMo 376.1387(3); RSMo 42 CFR 438.402, 438.408
Write my appeal: free letters
Sources
The official sources for Missouri are listed on the Missouri page.