Medicare Advantage denial appeals: the 65-day rule
How to appeal a Medicare Advantage (Part C) denial: request a reconsideration within 65 days, and what happens if the plan says no again.
Deadline
Ask your Medicare Advantage plan for a reconsideration within 65 calendar days from the date on the denial notice — not the date you received it.
Source: CMS, Reconsideration by the Medicare Advantage health plan, checked 2026-10-17
Written or by phone
Standard requests usually must be in writing unless your plan accepts phone requests; expedited requests can be made by phone or in writing.
Source: CMS, checked 2026-10-17
If the plan says no again
If the plan upholds its denial in whole or in part, it must automatically send your case to the Part C Independent Review Entity — you do not have to file anything extra for that step.
Source: CMS, Part C Independent Review Entity, checked 2026-10-17