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The Appeals Process








  
  
    

  
      



OMHA is responsible for Level 3 claims appeals.  The entry point of the appeals process depends on the part of the Medicare program that covers the disputed benefit or whether the beneficiary is enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

There are five levels in the Medicare claims appeal process:

Level 1: Your Health Plan. If you disagree with a Medicare coverage decision, you may request your health plan to redetermine your claim.
	Level 2: An Independent Organization. If you disagree with the decision in Level 1, you may request a reconsideration by an independent organization.
	Level 3: Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA). If you disagree with the Level 2 decision or dismissal, you may request that an OMHA adjudicator review the action.
	Level 4: The Medicare Appeals Council. If you disagree with the OMHA adjudicator's decision, you may request the Medicare Appeals Council review the decision.
	Level 5: Federal Court. If you disagree with the Medicare Appeals Council decision, you may seek a review of your claim in Federal District Court.If you were told you are not eligible for Medicare, see Entitlement Appeals for guidance.

If you think your Part B Premium rate should be lowered, see Part B Premium Appeals for guidance.

Entities Responsible for Medicare Appeals by Level and Medicare Part

Level of the Appeals Process
			Medicare Parts A and B
			Medicare Part C
			Medicare Part DLevel 1
			Medicare Contractor*[see note at end of table]*
			Medicare Advantage Plan
			Medicare Prescription Drug PlanLevel 2
			QIC
			Independent Review Entity
			Independent Review EntityLevel 3
			Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals
			Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals
			Office of Medicare Hearings and AppealsLevel 4
			Medicare Appeals Council
			Medicare Appeals Council
			Medicare Appeals CouncilLevel 5
			Federal Court
			Federal Court
			Federal CourtMedicare Contractor Note: In each part of the Medicare program, the Medicare contractor administering the program (usually an insurance company) makes a decision about your Medicare benefits.  In most cases, the decision is whether or not a medical service or item is covered and how much the Medicare program will pay for the service or item.  There are different names for these decisions depending on the part of the Medicare program covering the benefits.

                    
  


Content created by Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) Content last reviewed June 30, 2017 Back to top
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