Aetna (California)'s published appeal, dispute, and timely-filing windows are below, each quoted verbatim from Aetna (California)'s provider documentation or the governing regulation with a source link. Which window applies can depend on the product and its regulator, so confirm the product before you calendar the deadline.
Day types are not interchangeable: calendar, business, and month windows each count differently, and month windows are never converted to days. Every value below is quoted from its primary source.
Deadlines you must hit
Reconsideration filing
180 calendar daysClock starts: date of initial claim decision
You need to file your reconsideration within 180 calendar days of the initial claim decision.
CA HMO provider dispute filing
365 calendar daysClock starts: date of initial claim decision
California (CA) HMO — All providers, participating and nonparticipating, when the request relates to an HMO member and the date of service is on/after 1/1/04 — 365 days
Source: Aetna provider appeals — state exceptions page (aetna.com)
Appeal filing
60 calendar daysClock starts: date of reconsideration decision
File your appeal within 60 calendar days of the reconsideration decision.
Payer response clocks
Reconsideration response standard
30 business daysClock starts: receipt of reconsideration request
Response times vary. It depends on the request and whether a specialty unit needs to review it. In most cases, you'll receive an EOB or letter within 30 business days of us receiving the request.
Reconsideration response clinical
See provider manualClock starts: receipt of reconsideration request
No Aetna-brand primary source currently publishes this response time — confirm the specialty-unit review clock in your provider manual.
Source: Aetna Dispute & Appeals Process Quick Reference Guide (Allina Health Aetna JV site)
Appeal response
60 business daysClock starts: receipt of appeal or requested additional information
We'll send a decision by mail or fax within 60 business days of receiving your appeal — or of receiving any additional information we request.
Reference information for provider billing teams, not legal advice. Windows depend on the plan's regulator and product, so confirm against your contracted provider manual. Sources retrieved 2026-07-04.