FIGHT BACKFIGHT BACKGet the free 5-Minute Denial Cheat Sheet — the exact steps to appeal a denied health-insurance claim, hit your deadlines, and send the letter that wins.
Insurers denied about 85 million in-network claims in 2024 — and fewer than 1 in 100 people ever appealed.
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If your health insurance claim was denied, you have the right to appeal it yourself — no lawyer required. For most plans you have 180 days from the denial to file an internal appeal, and if that fails you can request a free, independent external review the insurer must follow. Here are the five steps.
Yes. You do not need a lawyer to appeal a denied health-insurance claim. For most plans you have 180 days from the denial to file an internal appeal, and if that fails you can request a free, independent external review. The free cheat sheet walks you through each step.
For most health plans you have up to 180 days (about six months) from the date of the denial notice to file an internal appeal. Your denial letter lists your exact deadline, so check it and act early.
Insurers denied about 85 million in-network claims in 2024, yet consumers appealed fewer than 1 in 100. When people do appeal, a meaningful share of denials are reversed — the overturn rate varies by plan and denial type, and rises further at the independent external-review stage.
Read your denial letter to find the exact reason code and your appeal deadline, then request your claim file from the insurer in writing. Those two steps set up everything else in your appeal.
A Letter of Medical Necessity is a letter from your doctor explaining why a treatment is medically necessary, tied to your diagnosis and the plan’s own coverage criteria. It overturns more denials than any other single document.
An external review is an independent evaluation of your denial by a third party unconnected to your insurer. It is free, and the reviewer’s decision is binding — the insurer must follow it. You can usually request one after an internal appeal is denied.
No. Filing an internal appeal and requesting an external review are free. You only pay if you choose to buy a done-for-you kit or hire help — neither is required to appeal on your own behalf.
No. Fight Back provides educational information and templates so you can appeal on your own behalf. Always follow your own denial notice and verify deadlines and rights with your plan and your state’s insurance department.
The cheat sheet gets you started. The full kit hands you the whole process plus ready-to-send letters — so you just fill in the blanks and send.
A 15-page print-and-fill playbook + 8 editable appeal letters (medical necessity, prior auth, surprise bill, external review, and more).