2.  Attorney Kristin Swanson-Mace provides legal
representation for workers' compensation
defense claims as the sole practitioner at her
firm in Orlando, Florida. Skilled in areas
regarding disability law, Kristin Swanson-Mace
has 25 years of experience in the field. For
individuals with a disability, obtaining coverage
or services from Medicaid or alike agencies
can make managing life just a little easier.
Florida law allows individuals to challenge an
agency’s decision to deny or reduce disability
services. Navigation of this process involves the
following:

3.  1. Filing of a petition. The notice indicating an
agency’s denial or reduction of services will include a
petition date. Before this deadline, petitioners must
make a written request for a hearing and send it to
the agency.
2. Hearing officer and case number assignment. After
the agency forwards the petition to the Office of
Appeal Hearings, the petitioner will receive a letter
containing preliminary information. Information will
include case number, the hearing officer presiding
over the case, and other relevant contact
information.

4.  3. Hearing preparation. Upon receiving the Notice of
Hearing that indicates hearing date, time, and location,
preliminary preparations begin. Petitioners must share the
information with witnesses and determine if they will be
present at the hearing in person or remotely. Requests for
hearing continuances in the case of an emergency are
submitted to the hearing officer.
4. Compiling necessary information. Petitioners will need to
collect all documents and witness statements that support
their case. Specifically, they will need evidence that
contradicts the Denial Notice’s reasons for denying or
reducing services. This process also includes an
exchanging of information with the agency.

5.  5. Witness preparations. Before the hearing,
petitioners may go over testimonies and
questions with witnesses and ensure all
witness possess the correct hearing
information.
6. Attending the hearing. The hearing officer
assigned to the case will guide the
petitioner through the hearing process and
answer questions at appropriate times.
Petitioners are expected to maintain
courtroom etiquette and avoid engaging in
arguments.