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MISSISSIPPI DIVISION OF MEDICAID Eligibility Policy and Procedures Manual CHAPTER 100 – General Provisions P a g e | 16 Effective Month: March 2019 requested, the specialist can assist in submitting the request to the central office or the individual may choose to submit it himself. Appeal By Both Members of a Couple When both members of an eligible couple wish to dispute the action or inaction of the regional office that affects both applications and cases similarly and arose from the same issue, one or both members may file the request for a hearing. The couple will be assured that both may present evidence at the hearing and that the agency’s decision will be applicable to both. If both file a hearing request, two hearings will be registered, but they will be conducted on the same day and in the same place, either consecutively or jointly, according to the wishes of the couple. If it is their wish for only one of them to attend the hearing, this is permissible. Time Limit for Filing a Hearing Request The individual has 30 days from the date the appropriate notice is issued to request either a local or state hearing (standard or expedited). This 30-day filing period may be extended if the individual can show good cause for not filing within 30 days. Good cause includes, but may not be limited to, illness, failure to receive the notice, being out of state, or some other reasonable explanation. If good cause can be shown, a late hearing request may be accepted, provided the facts in the case remain the same. However, if the individual’s circumstances have changed or if good cause for filing a request beyond 30 days does not exist, a hearing request will not be accepted. If the individual wishes to have his eligibility reconsidered, he may reapply. Timeframe for Entire Hearing Process (Local and/or State Hearings) The Division of Medicaid must take final administrative action on standard hearings, whether state and/or local, within 90 days of the date of the initial request for a hearing. Although regulations allow 90 days, the agency will make every effort to hold hearings promptly and render decisions in a shorter timeframe. The 90-day period for final administrative action must be met except in unusual circumstances when: