Fighting Your Health Insurance Cancellation

April 12, 2024

Every day individuals living in Oklahoma receive notice that their health insurance policy has been canceled. Messages like this are frightening; we all rely on our medical insurance to protect our financial and personal well-being if and when we get sick. Not having coverage leaves our health at risk and our future vulnerable to the exorbitant costs of medical care.

If you have been notified of a health insurance policy cancellation, you must take action. The reason for the cancellation can guide your actions going forward. Knowing what to do and how to do can be confusing.

In many cases, working closely with a health insurance cancellation attorney can prove valuable.

These professionals understand the laws governing insurance and know how to address issues as they arise. You want to approach this situation carefully, making sure to take the right steps to rectify any issues and ensure you have the coverage you need.

Taking the Right Steps Can Positively Impact Your Health Insurance Denial Appeal

Having health insurance is important, it protects both your physical and financial well-being. Those without coverage may face barriers to getting the care they need or find themselves in overwhelming debt as they attempt to pay for their medical treatment on their own.

If you were enrolled in an insurance plan and have received notice that your coverage has been canceled, you don’t have the luxury of waiting to see how things turn out. You must act quickly. The need for medical treatment can arise with no warning; you simply cannot afford to ignore the situation and hope it rectifies itself.  It likely will not.

Taking the right steps to identify the issues and address them is the responsible course of action. Get organized and act immediately.

Understand the Reason for Cancellation

Why was your health insurance canceled? This is an important question that you must answer before you can take action. Some of the reasons why policies are canceled mid-term include, but are not limited to:

• Failure to pay premiums
• Filing false claims/fraud
• Loss of job
• Questionable/dangerous behavior (which would make you more susceptible to injury).

If your insurance company is going to drop your insurance in the middle of a coverage period, they must provide notice in writing. This letter should indicate the reason why the action is occurring and must provide you with notice.

Review Your Policy and Appeal the Cancellation

If you receive a notice of cancellation, you have options. You can simply identify a new insurance provider and contract with them for your health insurance or, if you feel like your policy was canceled unreasonably, you can appeal the decision.

Your first course of action should be to review your policy to ensure there is no language which would have provided them a valid reason for cancellation.

Very few of us actually read our health insurance policies from beginning to end. We simply review the highlights, understand the basics of our coverage, and submit claims when necessary. If your policy has been canceled, you must take the time to review all of the documentation provided to you.

Contact the Insurance Company

In the case of insurance cancellations, the law protects you:  insurance companies must have a good reason for dropping you. If you have made a simple mistake, this is not a reasonable cause; this would be bad faith.  If you believe you were unfairly dropped from your health insurance coverage, you have two choices:  you can file an external appeal or an internal appeal.

External appeals leverage the involvement of a neutral third party, but are only appropriate in certain situations, which a health insurance lawyer can further explain. It is important to recognize the importance of timing to these actions; the appeal must be filed within 4 months of the date of your cancellation.

Internal appeals require you to contact the insurance company directly. Doing this in writing is wise, as conversations can often be misconstrued. A paper trail of communication is valuable when it comes to holding people accountable for what they say. Bear in mind that if you have a medical condition that requires immediate care, the review process can and must be expedited.

You will want to be sure to submit your appeals letter in accordance with your insurance carrier’s policy. Failure to do so may result in your case not being reviewed.  Check your policy for submission information and, if unsure, contact the company directly, again in writing, for clarification.

Places to Get Help Fighting Your Health Insurance Cancellation

Successfully appealing an insurance cancellation requires knowledge of insurance laws, familiarity with the system, and available time to focus on the host of important details. In state, you can reach out to the Oklahoma Insurance Department or the Oklahoma Consumer Assistance program for general guidance.

However, many situations involving health insurance cancellation can benefit from a more personalized approach. A healthcare insurance lawyer in Oklahoma who is experienced in handling issues like this can provide hands-on service, managing the appeals process from beginning to end. These professionals can leverage their knowledge and experience to help identify the issues at hand, determine whether a viable case exists, and if so provide counsel on all communications and interactions.

Your medical coverage is important — engaging seasoned and reliable support may be in your best interests.

Contact Doug Terry Law Today

We Know How to Manage Health Insurance Cancellation Cases

If you elect to engage professional representation to help as you fight your health insurance cancellation, choosing the right attorney is an important decision. You want to work with a professional who has relevant experience, proven success, and a service philosophy that aligns with your needs.

Doug Terry has been providing health insurance legal services for decades; he and his team are well-known for both their technical legal knowledge and their commitment to fighting tirelessly on behalf of their clients.

Long ago Mr. Terry recognized that members of his community were often the targets of bad faith decisions by their insurance companies. He has dedicated his practice to leveling the playing field and providing his clients with the support they need to address their health insurance concerns.

If you have been dropped by your health insurance company, contact Attorney Doug Terry  at 405-463-6362 to schedule a free consultation. During this meeting he can learn more about your specific concerns and share how he would address them.

Serious situations call for direct action; Doug Terry is ready to go to work for you right away.