Section 5160-58-08.4 - Appeals and grievances for "MyCare Ohio"(A) Notice of action (NOA) by a MyCare Ohio plan (MCOP).(1) When an MCOP adverse benefit determination has or will occur, the MCOP shall provide the affected member with a NOA.(2) The NOA shall explain:(a) The adverse benefit determination the MCOP has taken or intends to take;(b) The reasons for the adverse benefit determination, including the right of the member to be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to copies of all documents, records, and other relevant determination information;(c) The member's right to file an appeal to the MCOP;(d) Information related to exhausting the MCOP appeal;(e) The member's right to request a state hearing through the state's hearing system upon exhausting the MCOP appeal process;(f) Procedures for exercising the member's rights to appeal the adverse benefit determination;(g) Circumstances under which expedited resolution is available and how to request it;(h) If applicable, the member's right to have benefits continue pending the resolution of the appeal, how to request that benefits be continued, and the circumstances under which the member may be required to pay for the cost of those services;(i) The date the notice is issued;(3) The following language and format requirements apply to a NOA issued by an MCOP: (a) It shall be provided in a manner and format that may be easily understood;(b) It shall explain that oral interpretation is available for any language, written translation is available in prevalent non-English languages as applicable, and written alternative formats may be available as needed;(c) It shall explain how to access the MCOP's interpretation and translation services as well as alternative formats that can be provided by the MCOP;(d) When directed by ODM, it shall be printed in the prevalent non-English languages of members in the MCOP's service area; and(e) It shall be available in alternative formats, and in an appropriate manner, taking into consideration the special needs of members, including but not limited to members who are visually limited and members who have limited reading proficiency.(4) An MCOP shall issue a NOA within the following time frames:(a) For a decision to deny or limit authorization of a requested service, the MCOP shall issue a NOA simultaneously with the MCOP's decision.(b) For reduction, suspension, or termination of services prior to the member receiving the services previously authorized by the MCOP, the MCOP shall give notice at least fifteen calendar days before the effective date of the adverse benefit determination except: (i) If probable recipient fraud has been verified, the MCOP shall give notice five calendar days before the effective date of the adverse benefit determination.(ii) Under the circumstances set forth in 42 CFR 431.213 (October 1, 2022), the MCOP shall give notice on or before the effective date of the adverse benefit determination.(c) For denial of payment for a non-covered service, the MCOP shall give notice simultaneously with the MCOP's action to deny the claim, in whole or part, for a service that is not covered by medicaid, including a service that was determined through the MCOP's prior authorization process as not medically necessary. (d) For untimely prior authorization, appeal, or grievance resolution, the MCOP shall give notice simultaneously with the MCOP becoming aware of the untimely resolution. Service authorization decisions not reached within the time frames specified in rules 5160-26-03.1 and 5160-58-01.1 of the Administrative Code constitutes a denial and is thus considered to be an adverse benefit determination. Notice shall be given on the date the authorization decision time frame expires.(B) Grievances to an MCOP. (1) A member may file a grievance with an MCOP orally or in writing at any time. An authorized representative must have the member's written consent to file a grievance on the member's behalf.(2) An MCOP shall acknowledge the receipt of each grievance to the member filing the grievance. Oral acknowledgment by an MCOP is acceptable. If the grievance is filed in writing, written acknowledgment shall be made within three business days of receipt of the grievance.(3) An MCOP shall review and resolve all grievances as expeditiously as the member's health condition requires. Grievance resolutions, including member notification, shall meet the following time frames: (a) Within two business days of receipt if the grievance is regarding access to services.(b) Within thirty calendar days of receipt for all other grievances that are not regarding access to services.(4) At a minimum, an MCOP shall provide oral notification to the member of a grievance resolution. If an MCOP is unable to speak directly with the member, or the resolution includes information that must be confirmed in writing, the resolution shall be provided in writing simultaneously with the MCOP's resolution.(5) If an MCOP's resolution to a grievance is to affirm the denial, reduction, suspension, or termination of a service, or billing of a member due to the MCOP's denial of payment for that service, the MCOP shall notify the member of his or her right to request a state hearing as specified in paragraph (G) of this rule, if the member has not previously been notified.(C) Standard appeal to an MCOP. (1) A member, a member's authorized representative, or a provider may file an appeal orally or in writing within sixty calendar days from the date that the NOA was issued. An oral appeal filing must be followed by a written appeal. An MCOP shall: (a) Immediately convert an oral appeal filing to a written appeal on behalf of the member; and(b) Consider the date of the oral appeal filing as the filing date.(2) Any provider acting on the member's behalf shall have the member's written consent to file an appeal. An MCOP must begin processing the appeal upon receipt of the written consent.(3) An MCOP shall acknowledge receipt of each appeal to the member filing the appeal. At a minimum, acknowledgment shall be made in the same manner the appeal was filed. If an appeal is filed in writing, written acknowledgment shall be made by an MCOP within three business days of receipt of the appeal.(4) An MCOP shall provide members a reasonable opportunity to present evidence and allegations of fact or law, in person as well as in writing, and inform the member of this opportunity sufficiently in advance of the resolution time frame. Upon request, the member and/or member's authorized representative shall be provided, free of charge and sufficiently in advance of the resolution time frame, the case file, including medical records, and any other documents and records, and any new or additional evidence considered, relied upon or generated by an MCOP, or at the direction of an MCOP, in connection with the appeal of the adverse benefit determination.(5) An MCOP shall consider the member, the member's authorized representative, or an estate representative of a deceased member as parties to the appeal.(6) An MCOP shall review and resolve each appeal as expeditiously as the member's health condition requires, but the resolution time frame shall not exceed fifteen calendar days from the receipt of the appeal unless the resolution time frame is extended as outlined in paragraph (F) of this rule.(7) An MCOP shall provide written notice of the appeal's resolution to the member, and to the member's authorized representative if applicable. At a minimum, the written notice shall include the resolution decision and date of the resolution.(8) For appeal resolutions not resolved wholly in the member's favor, the written notice to the member shall also include the following information: (a) The right to request a state hearing through the state's hearing system;(b) How to request a state hearing; and if applicable:(i) The right to continue to receive benefits pending a state hearing; and(ii) How to request the continuation of benefits.(c) Oral interpretation is available for any language;(d) Written translation is available in prevalent non-English languages as applicable;(e) Written alternative formats may be available as needed; and(f) How to access the MCOP's interpretation and translation services as well as alternative formats that can be provided by the MCOP.(9) For appeal resolutions decided in favor of the member, an MCOP shall:(a) Authorize or provide the disputed services promptly and as expeditiously as the member's health condition requires, but no later than seventy-two hours from the appeal resolution date, if the services were not furnished while the appeal was pending.(b) Pay for the disputed services if the member received the services while the appeal was pending.(D) Expedited appeals to an MCOP.(1) An MCOP shall establish and maintain an expedited review process to resolve appeals when the member requests and the MCOP determines, or the provider indicates in making the request on the member's behalf or supporting the member's request, that taking the time for a standard resolution could seriously jeopardize the member's life, physical or mental or health or ability to attain, maintain, or regain maximum function.(2) In utilizing an expedited appeal process, an MCOP shall comply with the standard appeal process specified in paragraph (C) of this rule, except the MCOP shall:(a) Determine within one business day of the appeal request whether to expedite the appeal resolution;(b) Make reasonable efforts to provide prompt oral notification to the member of the decision to expedite or not expedite the appeal resolution;(c) Inform the member of the limited time available for the member to present evidence and allegations of fact or law in person or in writing;(d) Resolve the appeal as expeditiously as the member's health condition requires, but the resolution time frame shall not exceed seventy-two hours from the date the MCOP received the appeal unless the resolution time frame is extended as outlined in paragraph (E) of this rule;(e) Make reasonable efforts to provide oral notice of the appeal resolution in addition to the required written notification; and(f) Ensure punitive action is not taken against a provider who requests an expedited resolution or supports a member's appeal.(3) If an MCOP denies the request for expedited resolution of an appeal, the MCOP shall: (a) Transfer the appeal to the standard resolution time frame of fifteen calendar days from the date the appeal was received unless the resolution time frame is extended as outlined in paragraph (E) of this rule; and(b) Make reasonable efforts to provide the member prompt oral notification of the decision not to expedite, and within two calendar days of the receipt of the appeal, provide the member written notice of the reason for the denial, including information that the member can grieve the decision.(E) Grievance and appeal resolution extensions.(1) A member may request the time frame for an MCOP to resolve a grievance or standard or expedited appeal be extended up to fourteen calendar days.(2) An MCOP may request that the time frame to resolve a grievance or standard or expedited appeal be extended up to fourteen calendar days. The following requirements apply: (a) The MCOP shall seek such an extension from ODM prior to the expiration of the standard or expedited appeal or grievance resolution time frame;(b) The MCOP request shall be supported by documentation of the need for additional information and that the extension is in the member's best interest; and(c) If ODM approves the extension, the MCOP shall immediately give the member written notice of the extension, and include the following components in the notice: (i) The MCOP's reason for needing the extension;(ii) The date a decision will be made; and(iii) Inform the member of their right to file a grievance if the member disagrees with the extension.(3) The MCOP shall maintain documentation of any extension request.(F) Access to state's hearing system. (1) In accordance with 42 CFR 438.402 (October 1, 2022), members may request a state hearing only after exhausting the MCOP's appeal process. If an MCOP fails to adhere to the notice and timing requirements for appeals set forth in this rule, the member is deemed to have exhausted the MCOP appeal process and may request a state hearing.(2) When required by paragraph (C)(8) of this rule, and in accordance with division 5101:6 of the Administrative Code, an MCOP shall notify members, and any authorized representatives on file with the MCOP, of the right to a state hearing subject to the following requirements:(a) If an MCOP appeal resolution upholds the denial of a request for the authorization of a service, in whole or in part, the MCOP shall simultaneously issue the "Notice of Denial of Medical Services By Your Managed Care Entity" (ODM 04043).(b) If an MCOP appeal resolution upholds the decision to reduce, suspend, or terminate services prior to the member receiving the services as authorized by the MCOP, the MCOP shall issue the "Notice of Reduction, Suspension or Termination of Medical Services By Your Managed Care Entity" (ODM 04066). (c) If an MCOP learns a member has been billed for services received by the member due to the MCOP's denial of payment, and the MCOP upholds the denial of payment, the MCOP shall immediately issue the "Notice of Denial of Payment for Medical Services By Your Managed Care Entity" (ODM 04046).(3) The member or the member's authorized representative may request a state hearing within ninety days from the date of an adverse appeal resolution by contacting the ODJFS bureau of state hearings or local county department of job and family services (CDJFS).(4) There are no state hearing rights for a member terminated from an MCOP pursuant to an MCOP-initiated membership termination in accordance with rule 5160-58-02.1 of the Administrative Code.(5) Following the bureau of state hearing's notification to an MCOP that a member has requested a state hearing, the MCOP shall:(a) Complete the "Appeal Summary for Managed Care Entities" (ODM 01959) with appropriate supporting attachments, and file it with the bureau of state hearings, at least three business days prior to the scheduled hearing date. The appeal summary shall include all facts and documents relevant to the issue, in accordance with rule 5160-26-03.1 of the Administrative Code, and be sufficient to demonstrate the basis for the MCOP's adverse benefit determination;(b) Send a copy of the completed ODM 01959 to the member and the member's authorized representative, if applicable, the CDJFS, and the designated ODM contact; and(c) If benefits were continued through the appeal process in accordance with paragraph (G)(1) of this rule, continue or reinstate the benefit(s) if the MCOP is notified the member's state hearing request was received within fifteen days from the date of the appeal resolution.(6) An MCOP shall participate in the state hearing, in person or by telephone, on the date indicated on the "Notice to Appear for a Scheduled Hearing" (JFS 04002) sent to the MCOP by the bureau of state hearings.(7) An MCOP shall comply with the state hearing decision provided to the MCOP via the "State Hearing Decision" (JFS 04005). If the state hearing decision sustains the member's appeal, the MCOP shall submit the information required by the "Order of Compliance" (JFS 04068) to the bureau of state hearings. The information, including applicable supporting documentation, is due to the bureau of state hearings and the designated ODM contact by no later than the compliance date specified in the hearing decision. If applicable, the MCOP shall: (a) Authorize or provide the disputed services promptly and as expeditiously as the member's health condition requires, but no later than seventy-two hours from the date it receives notice reversing the adverse benefit determination if services were not furnished while the appeal was pending.(b) Pay for the disputed services if the member received the services while the appeal was pending.(G) Continuation of benefits while the appeal to an MCOP or state hearing are pending.(1) Unless a member requests that previously authorized benefits not be continued, an MCOP shall continue a member's benefits when all the following conditions are met:(a) The member requests an appeal within fifteen days of the MCOP issuing the NOA;(b) The appeal involves the termination, suspension, or reduction of services prior to the member receiving the previously authorized services;(c) The services were ordered by an authorized provider; and(d) The authorization period has not expired.(2) If an MCOP continues or reinstates the member's benefits while the appeal or state hearing are pending, the benefits shall be continued until one of the following occurs: (a) The member withdraws the appeal or the state hearing request;(b) The member fails to request a state hearing within fifteen days after the MCOP issues an adverse appeal resolution; or(c) The bureau of state hearings issues a state hearing decision upholding the reduction, suspension or termination of services.(3) If the final resolution of the appeal or state hearing upholds an MCOP's original adverse benefit determination, at the discretion of ODM, the MCOP may recover the cost of the services furnished to the member while the appeal and/or state hearing was pending.(H) Other duties of an MCOP regarding appeals and grievances. (1) An MCOP shall give members all reasonable assistance filing a grievance, an appeal, or a state hearing request including but not limited to:(a) Explaining the MCOP's process to be followed in resolving the member's appeal or grievance;(b) Completing forms and taking other procedural steps as outlined in this rule; and(c) Providing oral interpretation and oral translation services, sign language assistance, and access to the grievance system through a toll-free number with text telephone yoke (TTY) and interpreter capability.(2) An MCOP shall ensure the individuals who make decisions on appeals and grievances are individuals who: (a) Were neither involved in any previous level of review or decision-making nor a subordinate of any such individual; and(b) Are health care professionals who have the appropriate clinical expertise in treating the member's condition or disease, if deciding any of the following: (i) An appeal of a denial based on lack of medical necessity;(ii) A grievance regarding the denial of an expedited resolution of an appeal; or(iii) An appeal or grievance involving clinical issues.(3) In reaching an appeal resolution, the MCOP shall take into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the member or their representative without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial adverse benefit determination.Ohio Admin. Code 5160-58-08.4
Effective: 4/20/2024
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 1/1/2028
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 5164.02, 5166.02, 5167.02
Rule Amplifies: 5164.02, 5166.02, 5167.02
Prior Effective Dates: 03/01/2014, 12/01/2014, 08/01/2016, 01/01/2018, 01/01/2023