Library: Policy

317:2-1-2. Appeals

Revised 7-1-23

(a) Request for appeals.

(1) For the purpose of calculating the timeframe for requesting an administrative appeal of an Agency action, the date on the written notice shall not be included. The last day of the timeframe shall be included, unless it is a legal holiday as defined by Title 25 of the Oklahoma Statutes (O.S.) Section (') 82.1, or any other day the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) is closed or closes early, in which case, the timeframe runs until the close of the next full business day.

(2) An appeals request that an aggrieved member or provider sends via mail is deemed filed on the date that the Agency receives it.

(b) Member process overview.

(1) The appeals process allows a member to appeal a decision relating to program benefits. Examples are decisions involving medical services, prior authorizations for medical services, or discrimination complaints.

(2) In order to initiate an appeal, the member must file a LD-1 (Member Complaint/Grievance Form) within thirty (30) calendar days of the date the OHCA sends written notice of its action, in accordance with Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 317:2-1-2(a), above, or, in matters in which a formal notice is not sent by the Agency, within thirty (30) days of the date on which the member knew or should have known the facts or circumstances serving as the basis for appeal.

(3) If the LD-1 form is not received timely, the OHCA administrative law judge (ALJ) will cause to be issued a letter stating the appeal will not be heard. In the case of tax warrant intercept appeals, if the LD-1 form is not received by OHCA within the timeframe pursuant to 68 O.S. ' 205.2, OHCA similarly will cause to be issued a letter stating the appeal will not be heard because it is untimely.

(4) If the LD-1 form is not completely filled out or if necessary, documentation is not included, then the appeal will not be heard.

(5) OHCA will advise members that if assistance is needed in reading or completing the grievance form, arrangements will be made to provide such assistance.

(6) Upon receipt of the member's appeal, a fair hearing before the OHCA ALJ will be scheduled. The member will be notified in writing of the date and time of the hearing. The member, and/or his/her designated authorized representative, must appear at the hearing, either in person or telephonically. The preferred method for a hearing is telephonically, requests for an in-person hearing must be received in writing on OHCA's Form LD-4 (Request for In-Person Hearing) no later than ten (10) calendar days prior to the scheduled hearing date.

(7) The hearing shall be conducted according to OAC 317:2-1-5. The OHCA ALJ's decision may in certain instances be appealed to the CEO of the OHCA, or his or her designated independent ALJ, which is a record review at which the parties do not appear (OAC 317:2-1-13).

(8) Member appeals are ordinarily decided within ninety (90) days from the date on which the member's timely request for a fair hearing is received, unless:

(A) The appellant was granted an expedited appeal pursuant to OAC 317:2-1-2.5;

(B) The OHCA cannot reach a decision because the appellant requests a delay or fails to take a required action, as reflected in the record;

(D) The appellant filed a request for an appeal of a denied step therapy exception request, pursuant to OAC 317:2-1-18.

(9) Tax warrant intercept appeals will be heard directly by the OHCA ALJ. A decision is normally rendered by the OHCA ALJ within twenty (20) days of the hearing.

(1) The proceedings as described in this subsection contain the hearing process for those appeals filed by providers. These appeals encompass all subject matter cases contained in OAC 317:2-1-2(d)(2).

(2) All provider appeals are initially heard by the OHCA ALJ under OAC 317:2-1-2(d)(2).

(A) In order to initiate an appeal, a provider must file the appropriate LD form within thirty (30) calendar days of the date the OHCA sends written notice of its action, in accordance with OAC 317:2-1-2(a), above. LD-2 forms should be used for Program Integrity audit appeals; LD-3 forms are to be used for all other provider appeals.

(B) Except for OHCA Program Integrity audit appeals, if the appropriate LD form is not received timely, the OHCA ALJ will cause a letter to be issued stating that the appeal will not be heard.

(C) A decision ordinarily will be issued by the OHCA ALJ within forty-five (45) days of the close of all evidence in the appeal.

(D) Unless otherwise limited by OAC 317:2-1-7 or 317:2-1-13, the OHCA ALJ's decision is appealable to OHCA's CEO, or his or her designated independent ALJ.

(d) OHCA ALJ jurisdiction. The OHCA ALJ has jurisdiction of the following matters:

(1) Member appeals.

(A) Discrimination complaints regarding the SoonerCare program;

(B) Appeals which relate to the scope of services, covered services, complaints regarding service or care, enrollment, disenrollment, and reenrollment in the SoonerCare program;

(D) Appeals which relate to the tax warrant intercept system through the OHCA. Tax warrant intercept appeals will be heard directly by the OHCA ALJ. A decision will be rendered by the OHCA ALJ within twenty (20) days of the hearing;

(E) Proposed administrative sanction appeals pursuant to OAC 317:35-13-7. Proposed administrative sanction appeals will be heard directly by the OHCA ALJ. A decision by the OHCA ALJ will ordinarily be rendered within twenty (20) days of the hearing. This is the final and only appeals process for proposed administrative sanctions;

(F) Appeals which relate to eligibility determinations made by OHCA;

(G) Appeals of insureds participating in Insure Oklahoma which are authorized by OAC 317:45-9-8;

(H) Appeals which relate to a requested step therapy protocol exception as provided by 63 O.S. ' 7310; and

(I) Requests for state fair hearing arising from a member's appeal of a CE or DBM adverse benefit determination.

(2) Provider appeals.

(A) Whether Pre-admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) was completed as required by law;

(B) Denial of request to disenroll member from provider's SoonerCare Choice panel;

(C) Appeals by long-term care facilities for administrative penalty determinations as a result of findings made under OAC 317:30-5-131.2(b)(5)(B) and (d)(8);

(D) Appeals of Professional Service Contract awards and other matters related to the Central Purchasing Act pursuant to Title 74 O.S. ' 85.1 et seq.;

(E) Drug rebate appeals;

(F) Provider appeals of OHCA Program Integrity audit findings pursuant to OAC 317:2-1-7. This is the final and only appeals process for appeals of OHCA Program Integrity audit findings;

(G) Oklahoma Electronic Health Records Incentive program appeals related only to incentive payments, incentive payment amounts, provider eligibility determinations, and demonstration of adopting, implementing, upgrading, and meaningful use eligibility for incentives;

(H) Supplemental Hospital Offset Payment Program (SHOPP) annual assessment, supplemental payment, fees, or penalties as specifically provided in OAC 317:2-1-15; and

(I) Appeals from any adjustment made to a long-term care facility's cost report pursuant to OAC 317:30-5-132, including any appeal following a request for reconsideration made pursuant to OAC 317:30-5-132.1.