Appeal a denied health insurance claim
You can file an internal appeal within 180 days after a denied claim, then ask for an independent external review when the plan still says no.
What it costs
Time and effort to read the denial notice, collect supporting documents, and submit the appeal through your plan's process.
What you get
You must file an internal appeal within 180 days (6 months) of receiving notice that your claim was denied. If the plan still denies the claim, you have the right to take your appeal to an independent third party for review.
Notes
Follow the instructions and deadline in the denial notice. Ask the insurance company how to submit the appeal and which records it needs. The decision deadline depends on the type of appeal; confirm the current deadline in the plan notice before relying on a specific number.
Sources
- HealthCare.gov — How to appeal an insurance company decision
- Cornell Law School — 29 CFR 2560.503-1