Did you know that recent national studies show that as many as 25 million Americans who do have insurance have policies that may cover only a portion of their medical costs, leaving them with expensive bills for prescriptions and other treatments? Did you know that most of the millions of underinsured are working, middle-income Americans? Download the denial of coverage checklist.

If you are denied coverage for any prescription, treatment, medical service, surgery, specialist’s office visit or any other claim:

• Review your insurance policy first and determine if the denied treatment is expressly excluded in your policy.

• Speak to your insurance company through its toll-free customer service line for immediate response.

• Contact your doctor and enlist his or her help in appealing the denial. Your doctor can appeal the denial in writing. Be patient; the appeal process may take ten days to two weeks or longer to be processed.

• Contact your state’s insurance commissioner’s office for more assistance in appealing the denial.

• Consult the drug manufacturer’s Web site or toll-free information line. Many pharmaceutical companies have resources to help people whose insurers deny coverage of the treatments they produce. 

• Above all, don't give up. Use all available resources to help you navigate the insurance maze.

Learn more helpful information about navigating the health care system in the Arthritis Foundation's Access to Care for Arthritis guide.

More Information about Assistance for Prescription Drugs

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More on How to Handle an Insurance Appeal
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