Recent Blog Posts
U.S. Department of Labor Settles With United of Omaha Life Insurance Co. Over Evidence of Insurability
It’s standard practice in the insurance industry to require evidence of insurability before issuing a life insurance policy to an applicant. Apparently, it’s also standard practice in the industry to insure people without reviewing their insurability, take their money for years, and then deny a claim after the fact when the company shouldn’t have insured the individual in the first place. We say it’s commonplace because the government recently found United of Omaha Life Insurance Co. did it hundreds of times, and they are far from the only company accused of engaging in this unfair and unlawful bad faith insurance practice.
What the KFF Survey Says About Denied Health Insurance Claims
In a representative sampling of 3,605 insured adults in the U.S., KFF interviewed 978 adults with primary coverage through an employer (self or spouse), 885 adults with Medicare, 815 with Medicaid, and 880 people who bought coverage on their own through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, aka Obamacare. This sampling of people with insurance from different sources helped ensure a representative sampling of people coming from different perspectives with regard to demographic and socioeconomic factors such as education, income and health status.
Did Prudential Break the Law With Its Claims Handling Process?
A sprawling federal investigation recently uncovered over 200 life insurance claims that were denied by Prudential Financial due to a lack of “evidence of insurability” between 2017 and 2020. “Evidence of insurability” is a term of art in the insurance industry and is a standard requirement of the underwriting process in many areas of insurance.
Looking for Transparency in the Cost of Medical Services and Insurance Coverage? Just Be PATIENT.
Transparency is a modern buzzword gaining traction in many areas of public life. It’s been a part of the healthcare arena since at least 2010 and seems to have kicked into high gear starting in 2020. Yet even today, consumers struggle to find out what health services will cost upfront, and healthcare providers and insurers continue to strive to keep that information secret and hidden from patients until the bill comes after the fact.
Understanding Common Reasons for Life Insurance Claims Denial: What You Need to Know
Life insurance is a crucial financial safety net for many families. However, situations may occur where life insurance claims are denied, causing distress and financial strain to beneficiaries during an already trying time.
Does Your Health Insurer Have a Grievance System for Customer Complaints, and Does It Work?
If your health insurance claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid, you could end up paying out of pocket for costs that should be covered, forcing you to get a lawyer and fight the system to get reimbursed after the fact. In the worst case, you could wind up forgoing medical care altogether because you can’t afford the treatment. Wrongful health insurance denials are insidious; not only do you not get the coverage and benefits you’ve paid for, but a claim denial can be damaging to your health. People have died while waiting for their insurance companies to come through for them.
Did Your Insurance Broker Lie to You?
Insurance is a complex field, and we reasonably rely on insurance brokers and other professionals to help us navigate different policy options. The insurance market is risky for individuals and businesses; parties seeking insurance are increasingly relying upon insurance brokers and agents to secure the policies they need. Brokers and agents are people, however, with competing interests and differing levels of competence. If you rely on an insurance broker to get you a specific policy and they fail to do so, only for you to find out years later when you (or your beneficiaries) need that coverage you thought you bought, you might find yourself in dire financial straits.
Medicare Insurance Denials – What Can You Do?
Medicare Advantage policyholders have their claims denied at an outrageous rate, according to the federal government’s own reporting. On the bright side (sort of), claimants who appeal their denials are by and large successful in eventually getting their claims approved. If you’ve had your legitimate Medicare Advantage insurance claim denied, there are steps you can take to get the coverage you need and are entitled to, and you might also have a right to monetary damages based on your insurer’s violation of the law.
What Is Insurance Agent Negligence?
If your insurance claim was denied, and you believe that you should have been covered, it does not necessarily mean that either you or the insurance company were wrong. While insurance companies certainly do deny claims in bad faith, sometimes a lapse in coverage is due to a miscommunication between the insured party and the insurance agent.
Servicemembers Group Life Insurance: What It Is, Who Is Eligible, and Why Claims Most Often Get Denied
The people who put their lives on the line to defend our nation and our freedoms deserve to be venerated for their dedication and sacrifices. Active-duty servicemembers and veterans are awarded a variety of benefits for their service, and with good cause. Unfortunately, utilization of these benefits does not always play out smoothly. Families of covered servicemembers are entitled to life insurance benefits when the insured party passes away, but in many cases claims are delayed for weeks or months if not flat-out denied.
