Maryland Faces CMS Review Over Disability Appeal Delays
Federal regulators are investigating Maryland for failing to process over 200 disability service appeals within the 90-day window.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Special Needs
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is reviewing Maryland after data revealed more than 200 disability service appeals were not processed within the mandated 90-day federal deadline as of September 2026. Families, including those of Connor Feron and Daniel Ennis, report that their appeals remain unscheduled months after filing.
Why it matters
The review could lead to a federal mandate requiring Maryland to submit a corrective action plan to address the backlog. The state relies on the federal government for half of the $3.3 billion annual budget allocated to the Developmental Disabilities Administration.
Federal regulations require states to resolve disability service appeals within a 90-day timeframe. As of September 2026, state records indicate that over 200 cases had exceeded this limit.
The players
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
This federal agency oversees the administration of Medicare and Medicaid and enforces compliance with federal disability service requirements.
Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration
This state agency manages resources and services for Maryland residents with developmental disabilities and receives half of its funding from the federal government.
Maryland Office of Inspector General for Health
This state oversight body is responsible for screening and investigating allegations of administrative noncompliance within health agencies.
The details
The Maryland Office of Inspector General for Health confirmed that the ongoing processing issues fall within its oversight jurisdiction and are being screened for risk. Affected families, such as those of Connor Feron and Daniel Ennis, have faced indefinite waits for appeals that were submitted as early as this past spring.
Timeline
Connor Feron filed a disability services appeal in April 2026.
Krista Ennis filed an appeal for her son in June 2026.
Data from September 2026 showed over 200 appeals missed the 90-day deadline.
CMS notified legal counsel of its intent to review the allegations on September 8, 2026.
The OIGH confirmed the matter was within its jurisdiction on October 7, 2026.
Culture Shift
The federal requirement for a 90-day disability appeal processing deadline serves as a critical consumer protection benchmark. Current failures in Maryland highlight a broader disconnect between established federal timelines and the practical realities of state-level service delivery.
Families across Maryland may continue to face significant delays in accessing essential disability services while the federal review process is underway. Those with pending appeals should track their application status closely through official state channels as the investigation proceeds.
The takeaway
The federal government is now closely monitoring Maryland's ability to manage its disability services backlog effectively. Residents experiencing similar delays should document all correspondence and consider contacting local disability advocacy groups for support during the review period.
Further reading
For more information on state advocacy, visit the Maryland Special Needs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBFF.
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