If a recipient requests a hearing within the timely notice period specified in 42 CFR 431.231 (c), medical assistance coverage shall not be suspended, reduced, or discontinued until a decision is rendered after the hearing but medical assistance payments made pending the hearing decision may be recovered by the department if the contested decision or failure to act is upheld. If a county department is responsible for making the medical assistance determination, the department shall notify the county department of the county in which the recipient resides that the recipient has requested a hearing. Medical assistance coverage shall be suspended, reduced, or discontinued if: a.
(a)#
The recipient is contesting a state or federal law or a change in state or federal law and not the determination of the payment made on the recipient’s behalf.
(b)#
The recipient is notified of a change in his or her medical assistance coverage while the hearing decision is pending but the recipient fails to request a hearing on the change.