Before the Appellant Portal, appellants relied on physical mail, faxed documents, or handwritten forms, each with different submission methods and timelines. On the backend, CMS teams had to manage and interpret information from these disparate sources with little visibility into where each appeal stood.
The new system standardized submissions and improved consistency. Users now log in securely, complete only the required fields, and submit digital appeals that feed directly into CMS systems for faster review.
We partnered with CMS to design and build a digital system that would serve both Healthcare Marketplace consumers and internal CMS teams. Our solution gave people more control over their appeals while reducing manual overhead and compliance risk.
We delivered a modern, flexible platform built on CMS Cloud. The portal uses container-based architecture for scalability and integrates with systems like Eligibility Appeals Case Management System (EACMS), Secure Login System, and SmartyStreets via secure APIs. Jenkins pipelines automate deployments, and test coverage exceeded 90% with internal security scans.
The entire system was developed in TypeScript using React and ExpressJS, following the CMS Design System to ensure seamless visual consistency and full Section 508 compliance. Together, these practices enable zero-downtime releases and faster iteration.
We put real-time visibility in users’ hands. Appellants can now check where they are in the multi-step appeals process online, get automated text and email updates, and upload documentation directly through the portal (no fax required). Secure integration with healthcare.gov logins reduces friction and keeps the experience simple.
We created a clearer, more accessible communication system. We worked with CMS teams to distill hundreds of internal statuses into a concise five-point “System Status” design. This helps users understand their progress at a glance and reduces call center volume.
We made the appeal process easier, from start to finish. We introduced a guided screener that uses plain language to route people to the right appeal type for their individual situation. Users can pick up where they left off and pre-fill key information using CMS systems. This reduces errors and saves time.
Fearless didn’t just deliver what was asked. We built for what’s next.
The Appellant Portal turned a confusing, manual process into a transparent, accessible digital experience. We reduced turnaround times from roughly 30 days to about 7, and gave CMS a scalable foundation for future innovation and automation.