Appeal deadlines in Tennessee

State outside review (6 months); Medicaid hearing deadline 40 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 Tennessee

Outside review
6 months
Hearing deadline
40 days

How each deadline is counted in Tennessee

Time to file

You have 180 days after you receive the denial notice to file a grievance with your health carrier.

Law: Tenn. Code Ann. 56-61-107 to 56-61-109 (enacted as Pub. Ch. 980 of 2010, §§ 8-10)

Deadline to ask

You can file a written request for external review with your health carrier within 6 months after you receive the denial notice.

The deadline runs from

The date you receive the notice of the adverse determination or final adverse determination

Hearing deadline

The date of the termination or denial notice (eligibility appeals)

Keeping your benefits during the appeal

Eligibility appeals: your TennCare continues if you appeal within 20 days of the notice, or before your coverage end date if that is later. Medical (service) appeals: ongoing care can continue if you appeal within 10 days of the date of the notice or before the date of the change, whichever is later, and ask to keep the care.

If you miss a deadline

Medicaid

An eligibility appeal filed after 40 days may be accepted if you show good cause for filing late.

Sources

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