Checklist for Appeals

Sample appeal letter

Sample Funding Request Worksheet

Download Funding Request Worksheet

If you need to appeal a denial of assistive technology, here is a list of steps you need to take in order to prepare for your appeal hearing.

Step One:

The first thing you need to do is:

• ­­Send a letter to the Minnesota Department of Human Services asking for an appeal hearing.  Send your letter within 30 days of when you received the denial.
  
  

Step Two:

Gather any papers you need to bring to the hearing:

• Letters and reports from medical providers like your doctor or the person recommending the assistive technology
• Brochures, pictures, or other information about the assistive technology you are requesting
• Research papers, studies, or position papers that explain how the assistive technology is medically necessary and helps people with disabilities
• Copies of similar appeals decisions
• Anything else that will help the human services judge understand why you need the assistive technology
  
  

Step Three:

Prepare your witnesses for the hearing:

• Identify people who can be your witness and help explain why you need the assistive technology.  This could be a doctor, physical or occupational therapist, speech/language pathologist, or nurse.
• Ask the witness to come to the hearing with you.  If the witness cannot come, ask if the human services judge can call them on the phone or if they can put a statement in writing.
• Give your witness information about the hearing.  Explain why the assistive technology was denied.  Give the witness copies of any documents you have about the request.
  
  

Step Four

Be sure you can prove your case.  At the appeal hearing, you will need to show the human services judge you meet six criteria in order to win your case.  You will need to show that the assistive technology is:

• Medically necessary
• Appropriate and effective to meet your medical needs
• Timely (meaning the assistive technology will help you now and into the future)
• Recommended by a professional with the right credentials and purchased from an appropriate Medical Assistance provider
• The least expensive, appropriate health service available to meet your needs
• An effective and appropriate use of Medical Assistance funds