In an effort to process pending cases related to the 1993 Medical Assistance (MA) copayment notices, designated staff have been entering the fair hearing requests into the Fair Hearing Information System (FHIS). These requests can be identified by the Issue Code 957 and Subcategory SP29. Upon entry into FHIS, a DSS-4420, Notice of Fair Hearing and Aid Status, will be forwarded to the appellant and any representative of the appellant.
In addition, a scripted letter (attached to this transmittal) will be sent to all appellants who have a hearing pending with the subcategory SP29. The letter will include a form to be completed by the appellant and will provided an opportunity for the appellant to withdraw from the hearing or verify information to enable proper scheduling of the hearing. Since in many cases the appellants may no longer be seeking review of this issue, appellants who receive the DSS-4420 before the explanatory letter may be confused as to why they have been scheduled to attend a hearing. We anticipate increased telephone inquiries based upon these DSS 4420 forms and scripted letters. For those appellants who do not complete and return the form from the scripted letter by the date provided, the hearing request will be considered withdrawn. If an appellant subsequently contacts this office to have the matter reviewed, the status should be changed from Appellant Withdrawal and a hearing should be scheduled.
The hearings will be scheduled as single-issue only and no supplemental issues should be added to the original request.
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