Denied Medicaid? You have a deadline, and a real shot.
Most Medicaid denials come down to a missing document or a wrong income category, not because you actually fail to qualify. Enter the date on your notice and get your fight plan: your exact deadline, your next move, and what is at stake.
Your Fight Plan
Medicaid · 2026 rules
Which one happened to you?
Your next move is different depending on whether this is a brand-new denial or a loss of coverage you already had.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did I lose Medicaid at renewal?
Most of the time it is paperwork, not a real change in whether you qualify. In the recent renewal wave, about 7 in 10 people who were cut lost coverage because a form or document did not get processed, not because they earned too much (KFF and CMS). If that sounds like you, send in what was missing and request a fair hearing to get it turned back on.
Can I keep my Medicaid while I appeal?
Yes, if you move fast. If you request a fair hearing before the coverage-end date printed on your notice and ask to keep your benefits, Medicaid must keep running until a decision is made (42 CFR 431.230). If you already missed that date, request a hearing within 10 days of when coverage ended and they may reinstate it (42 CFR 431.231).
How long do I have to appeal a Medicaid denial?
Federal law gives you up to 90 days from the date your notice was mailed, but that is a ceiling. Many states set a shorter window, so the real deadline is the one printed on your own notice. Read it off the letter, and if it does not list one, you have the full 90 days.
Do I have to choose between appealing and reapplying for Medicaid?
No, and often you should do both. Appealing protects your original date and any bills from the gap. Reapplying can get you covered again faster while the appeal is pending. When the denial looks like a paperwork mistake, running both at once is the strongest move.
What happens at a Medicaid fair hearing?
It is informal, usually by phone, and run by a hearing officer who is used to people without a lawyer. You can bring a friend or a free legal-aid rep, and the state must give you a free interpreter if you need one. You also have the right to see the agency file and evidence before the hearing, so ask for it when you file (42 CFR 431.242).