​​The Office of Administrative Hearings and Appeals

The Office of Administrative Hearings and Appeals (OAHA) is an administrative hearing forum created by the Department of Health Care Services to provide a fair and impartial appeal process for providers and individuals who are dissatisfied with actions taken by the Department. 

Mission Statement

​To provide a fair and impartial forum to timely resolve disputes between parties.

The Appeal Process

OAHA conducts both INFORMAL and FORMAL hearings.

An INFORMAL hearing is held before a Hearing Officer.  It is relatively informal, and often neither side is represented by an attorney.  In many informal hearings, though, witnesses are sworn and a recording is made.

A FORMAL hearing is before an Administrative Law Judge.  It is somewhat like a trial in court, with questions asked of sworn witnesses and exhibits submitted into evidence.  All formal hearings are recorded by a court reporter or digital recorder.  The Administrative Law Judge will preside and guide the hearing.  The Judge cannot help you present your case, or assist you with strategy, but will make sure that you have a fair opportunity to understand the process and to present your case.

Most cases begin with a hearing notice which will tell you whether you have an INFORMAL or FORMAL hearing.  Most formal hearings are conducted pursuant to the administrative adjudication provisions of Chapters 4.5 (commencing with Section 11400) and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.​