Medicaid appeals in Montana: hearing deadline and keeping benefits
Montana Medicaid (and Healthy Montana Kids Plus): you have 90 days to ask for a fair hearing.
Your benefits continue at the same level until the hearing decision if you file your hearing request between the date the notice is mailed and the date the action takes effect, unless you say you do not want them continued.
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 (Montana Medicaid (and Healthy Montana Kids Plus)) denials in Montana
- Medicaid agency
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Human and Community Services Division and local Offices of Public Assistance
- Who holds the hearing
DPHHS Office of Administrative Hearings (formerly Office of Fair Hearings)
- Hearing deadline
90 days
The date the notice of the action is mailed (the department must receive your written request within 90 days)
- How to ask for a hearing
- Form: Fill out the hearing request form at the end of your notice letter. For Medicaid the request must be in writing.
- Mail: DPHHS Office of Administrative Hearings, PO Box 202922, Helena MT 59620
- Fax: (406) 444-6565
- Email: Hhsofh@mt.gov
- In person: Your local Office of Public Assistance must help you request a hearing if you ask
- Mail address
DPHHS Office of Administrative Hearings, PO Box 202922, Helena MT 59620
- What to include
Your name, address, phone number, and a short description of the decision you are challenging. Your signature is not required.
- Keeping your benefits during the appeal
Your benefits continue at the same level until the hearing decision if you file your hearing request between the date the notice is mailed and the date the action takes effect, unless you say you do not want them continued. If the state did not send timely advance notice, benefits continue if you ask within 10 days of receiving the notice. If the decision goes against you, you may have to repay the continued benefits.
Law: ARM 37.5.307; ARM 42 CFR 431.230
Source: the notice is assumed received 5 days after mailing
- Faster (expedited) hearing
The state manual offers an expedited hearing to households that will leave Montana before a decision would normally be made. No separate health-urgency rule is stated in the manual; federal rules require an expedited hearing when the normal timeline could seriously jeopardize your life, health or ability to regain maximum function.
Law: ARM 37.5.307
Write my appeal: free letters
Sources
The official sources for Montana are listed on the Montana page.