Suing a Health Insurance Company for Bad Faith

September 8, 2024

Do you believe your insurance company has delayed, denied, or underpaid your claim in bad faith? This means that their decision was both incorrect and purposefully made. Examples of bad faith insurance practices include:

• Failing to appropriately and promptly investigate your claim
• Purposefully underpaying your claim
• Misrepresenting your policy’s language
• Threatening you
• Employing biased experts for the review process.

This list is just a sampling of the bad faith strategies employed by Oklahoma insurance companies.

Every day insurance companies act immorally and illegally in order to minimize their expenses and maximize their profits.

Those hurt are their policyholders who need these claims to be approved to obtain necessary medical treatment or to reimburse them for their expenses.

Thankfully, as a policyholder, recourse is available. You can, in fact, sue your insurance company for bad faith. That said, pursuing legal action is complex and requires the assistance of an experienced and reputable insurance claim denial attorney. These professionals know how to address insurance company bad faith actions and pursue settlements on behalf of their clients.

If your insurance company has acted in bad faith, contact an Oklahoma bad faith insurance attorney today to learn if you have a case and how to best proceed. Time is a valuable asset in cases like this, so don’t hesitate to get the help you need.

Before You Sue a Health Insurance Company, an Internal Appeal May Be Worth a Try

If you have a denied health insurance claim, pursuing the internal appeals process may be a good first step. Given the costs of a particular treatment and how much you need it, engaging professional legal representation may be a valuable investment in your future.

The appeal process is purposefully complex. Required paperwork is both confusing and considerable. You can rely on your attorney to review your policy and gather the medical records and information to support your claim. They will complete and file all necessary paperwork, draft the appeal letter, and compile a package of supporting material. This time-consuming work is better done by someone who knows the ins and outs of this area of law. Mistakes can be costly.

A professionally written appeal may convince the company that covering your type of claim is why you pay premiums.

You’re not asking for favors or a gift — you just want the company to live up to its end of the bargain.

Can I Sue My Health Insurance Company for Taking Too Long?

If you or a family member is facing a medical crisis, there’s no time to waste. Insurance companies are well-known for delaying approvals for necessary treatment and payments. When this happens, you may find yourself tangled in a web of insurance red tape as opposed to focusing on your health and recovery.

In some cases, the delayed approval for your medical procedure may be a matter of life or death. You may not have time to spare before the procedure becomes more complicated or less likely to succeed. Under Oklahoma law, health insurance carriers are obligated to decide coverage requests within a reasonable time.

Suing the Health Insurance Company for Bad Faith May Be Your Last, Best Option

If an internal appeal is unsuccessful and the insurance company continues to refuse to cover your claim, a “bad faith” lawsuit may be an option. You want to do everything in your power in pursuit of a just and reasonable settlement.

Remember, an insurance policy is a contract. In exchange for your premiums, the company promises to pay for your healthcare, with limitations. While you cannot alter your policy language to include coverage for excluded issues, you can expect them to pay for covered procedures and illnesses.

Because you have the ability to sue for bad faith, you are not at the mercy of  dishonest insurance companies that control the evaluation, processing, and denial of your claims.

Winning plaintiffs may be awarded up to three times what the carrier would have paid if it had acted properly. Bad faith damages for the mental anguish endured because the company mishandled your case may also be available.  These include attorney fees, interest, and court costs.

In extreme cases of wronging, punitive damages may also be awarded. In most cases, compensation for mental anguish damages requires direct, detailed evidence of the nature, duration, and severity of your suffering. There must be a substantial disruption in your daily routine

A finding that the insurance carrier acted in bad faith isn’t enough to justify a punitive damages award. These damages are meant to punish the company for its actions and discourage it and other companies from acting similarly in the future. For punitive damages, it must be shown that the company’s conduct was malicious, intentional, fraudulent, or grossly negligent and that it was aware its action would likely result in extraordinary harm such as death, serious physical injury, or financial ruin.

Need Help Filing a Lawsuit Against a Health Insurance Company?

Contact Doug Terry Today

Deciding to sue a health insurance company is a serious step, but it may be an option you need to consider. If your carrier is denying or delaying your coverage beyond what’s reasonable, it’s time to engage an Oklahoma denied claims attorney.

Doug Terry, the founder of Doug Terry Law, is a prominent figure among Oklahoma health insurance claim denial lawyers. He represents those who’ve been denied insurance coverage through illegal actions by their carriers, helping with all kinds of insurance, including medical coverage. Healthcare, especially treatments for life-threatening and chronic conditions, is costly. Few of us can afford to pay for it ourselves, which is why we have health insurance.

Doug Terry knows how to file a successful lawsuit against health insurance companies.

Doug Terry is uniquely qualified to represent you.  He spent the early years of his career defending insurance companies against bad faith claims.  As such, he knows the strategies they employ, and how to successfully address them. Eventually, Doug’s practice evolved to focus on providing the citizens of Oklahoma the help they needed to address the bad faith actions of their insurance companies. He works tirelessly in pursuit of settlements for his clients.

Our team understands the urgency of denied medical claims and the stress the denials cause. We are available to go to work for you immediately. Contact our office today at 405-463-6362 to schedule your free case evaluation.