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Legal Authorities








  
  
    

  
      



The current Medicare appeals process was established by various statutes and implementing regulations. The table below lists some of the statutes and regulations that govern the appeals process for Medicare claims and entitlement, Medicare Advantage organization determination, and Medicare prescription drug coverage determination appeals, as well as select OMHA and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) program guidance.

**Medicare Part**
			**Statute***
			**Implementing Regulations**
			**Select Program Guidance**Medicare Part A and Part B fee-for-service claim, entitlement, and certain premium initial determinations
			Social Security Act
			§ 1869
			(42 U.S.C. 1395ff)

			QIO Appeals OnlySocial Security Act
			§ 1155
			(42 U.S.C. 1320c-4)
			42 C.F.R. part 405,
			subpart I
			(§§ 405.1000–405.1063 for ALJ appeals)
			QIO Appeals Only42 C.F.R. part 478,
			subpart B
			(§ 478.40 for ALJ appeals)
			IRMAA Appeals Only20 C.F.R. §§ 418.1301–418.1355
			(§ 418.1350 for ALJ appeals)
			OMHA Case Processing ManualMedicare Claims Processing Manual, CMS Publ’n 100-04, Ch. 29
			(§§ 330–330.6 for ALJ appeals)Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage and competitive health plan organization determinations
			Social Security Act
			§ 1852(g)
			(42 U.S.C. 1395w-22(g))Social Security Act
			§ 1876(c)(5)(B)
			(42 U.S.C. 1395mm(c)(5)(B))
			42 C.F.R. part 422, subpart M
			(§§ 422.600–405.612 for ALJ appeals)42 C.F.R. part 417, subpart Q
			OMHA Case Processing ManualParts C & D Enrollee Grievances, Organization/Coverage Determinations, and Appeals Guidance
			(§§ 70–70.4.3 for ALJ appeals)Medicare Part D plan sponsor coverage determinations and certain premium determinations
			Social Security Act
			§ 1860D-4
			(42 U.S.C. 1395w-104)
			42 C.F.R. part 423,subparts M and U
			(§§ 423.1968–423.2063 for ALJ appeals) 
			IRMAA Appeals Only20 C.F.R. §§ 418.2301–418.2355
			(§ 418.2350 for ALJ appeals)
			OMHA Case Processing ManualParts C & D Enrollee Grievances, Organization/Coverage Determinations, and Appeals Guidance
			(§§ 70–70.4.3 for ALJ appeals)*Statutory citations are given to the Social Security Act, as amended, with United States Code (U.S.C.) equivalents as parentheticals. However, please note that the online version of the U.S.C. may be more current than the online version of the Social Security Act.

The CMS Administrator also issues Rulings that serve as precedent final opinions and orders and statements of policy and interpretation. CMS Rulings are binding on all CMS components and OMHA adjudicators.

CMS Rulings issued prior to 1995
	CMS Rulings issued in 1995 or later​The Chair of the Departmental Appeals Board (DAB) may designate certain Medicare Appeals Council decisions as precedential. These precedential decisions are binding on all HHS components, including OMHA adjudicators.



With the exception of CMS Rulings, the legal authorities on this page address only the Medicare appeals process. Other statutes, regulations, and program guidance address Medicare coverage and payment rules. For general information about the items and services that Medicare covers, please visit the portion of the Medicare.gov website entitledWhat Medicare Covers. For general information about Part C Medicare Advantage plans, visitthis page. For general information about Part D prescription drug plans, visitthis page.

                    
  


Content created by Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) Content last reviewed September 26, 2023 Back to top
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