Requesting an administrative hearing

Clarifying information

1. Either the individual or their authorized representative may request a hearing. The request must be made within 90 days of the date of the decision, but if a hearing request is received after 90 days, the administrative law judge (ALJ) determines timeliness. All hearing requests must be forwarded to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) for scheduling regardless of the date of the request. See RCW 74.09.741
2. The request does not need to be in any particular form and can be made verbally or in writing.
3. The request can be made to any responsible agency employee.
4. The request should include the decision being appealed and why the individual is dissatisfied with the decision. However, any request indicating dissatisfaction with an agency decision should be treated as a hearing request.
5. An individual may request a hearing several ways:
   1. Classic Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) decisions are made by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) for clients who are over age 65, receiving Medicare, or receiving long-term services and supports. A request can be made:
      1. In writing to:
         1. Community Services Office (CSO) of record (address is on the top left of any letter sent);
         2. DSHS Customer Service Center, PO Box 11699, Tacoma WA 98411;
         3. Office of Administrative Hearings, PO Box 42488, Olympia WA 98504; or
         4. DSHS fax 888-338-7410.
      2. By phone:
         1. Home and Community Services (HCS) office (phone number is on the top right of any letter sent);
         2. DSHS Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233; or
         3. Office of Administrative Hearings at 800-583-8271.
      3. In person at any HCS or CSO office.
   2. MAGI-based Washington Apple Health decisions are made through Washington Healthplanfinder for clients who are under age 19, under age 65 without Medicare, or pregnant/post-partum. A request can be made:
      1. In writing to:
         1. Health Care Authority, PO Box 45531, Olympia WA 98504;
         2. Washington Health Benefit Exchange (WAHBE) Appeals, PO Box 1757, Olympia WA 98507;
         3. Office of Administrative Hearings, PO Box 42488, Olympia WA 98504;
      2. By phone:
         1. Washington Healthplanfinder customer support at 855-923-4633;
         2. Health Care Authority at 800-562-3022; or
         3. Office of Administrative Hearings at 800-583-8271.
      3. By fax to 1-855-867-4467.
      4. By email to Ask MAGI.