Why Health Insurers Deny Coverage for Care a Healthcare Provider Recommends

More and more, health payers are insisting that patients obtain permission before undergoing a medical testing or treatment. And, after review, they may decide not to cover that treatment at all. With the high premiums many people pay, this can be very disconcerting. Why do payers sometimes deny coverage of healthcare provider-recommended treatment, and what can you do if this occurs? What are the alternatives?

A health insurance form.
 murat sarica / Getty Images

Roots of Insurer Denials of Care

There are few frustrations that rival being turned down for coverage after a healthcare provider has made a specific recommendation for a therapy to improve your medical condition. This isn't an isolated concern and may occur whether you have private insurance or are covered under a government system such as Medicare or Medicaid. Once you finally feel like you have an answer and/or a solution to a problem, these denials can feel devastating.

Why does this happen?

Like many of the other mysteries of medical care that relate to the cost of care, the primary answer to this question is, "follow the money."

Denial of care is a form of healthcare rationing. You might think of it this way: The insurer or payer hopes to take in far more money than they pay out. That means that each time you need a test or treatment, they will make an assessment about whether it is the most cost-effective way to diagnose or treat you successfully.

If you need a treatment or test, and it isn't considered part of the standard of care for your medical problem, then they may have a reason to save their money by denying that test or treatment for you.

What payers know is that among the triangle of health care (you, your healthcare provider, and your payer) everyone's goals are different. You just want to get well. Your insurer wants to make money. Your healthcare provider wants both, though what that means can vary based on the practice. Some healthcare providers may choose a test or procedure which will increase her income, or instead, lean away from a test or treatment for which she may be penalized. With payers, making the most money doesn't always mean denying tests. Conditions that aren't properly treated may cost them much more in the long run.

While these differences in motivation may be frustrating for patients, it isn't necessarily bad if other equally effective treatments or tests are available. The less money the payer spends, the less we eventually pay in premiums.

Denials When There Is No Alternative Test or Treatment

Denials can be particularly challenging when there is no alternative treatment that is covered. Examples in which there may be no alternative include:

  • A rare disease, requiring an expensive drug, surgery, or another form of treatment.
  • A new form of healthcare technology.
  • Off-label drugs (drugs prescribed for a treatment other than that for which they are approved).
  • Compassionate drug use medications (investigational drugs not yet approved, but which may be the best option).
  • Herbal and/or nutritional supplements.

What Can You Do If You Are Denied Care By a Payer?

If you are denied coverage for a payer, don't panic. A denial doesn't mean that your payer will absolutely not cover a test or procedure. There are many nuances in medicine and no two people are alike. Sometimes a payer simply needs to be educated as to why a particular test or therapy will be most beneficial for a particular person.

Before taking any of the next steps, make a few calls. It's not uncommon for a test or procedure to be denied simply because it is not coded correctly. Many infuriating denials only require a phone call clarifying the condition and indication.

Again, before calling make sure that the treatment you wish to have covered isn't explicitly excluded from your plan. For example, even if you have an acceptable indication, insurers won't likely pay for medical marijuana. In a case such as this, your insurance won't pay no matter what condition you have or symptoms you are coping with.

If you are denied care by your payer, there are a few things you can do.

  1. Fight the denial. Sometimes all that's required is to get in touch with your payer's customer service. Ask why you were denied, and what evidence they would need to reverse the decision. Then work diligently to change their minds.
  2. Ask your healthcare provider what alternative may exist. This should probably be done at the same time as fighting the denial since it's possible your insurer will tell you there is an alternative. Having this information will help you continue your fight, or will give you some peace of mind that plan A is not your only option.
  3. Pay cash for the service. It's easy to forget that you can still have a test or procedure that your insurance denies if you choose to pay the expense yourself. If you decide to move forward with this plan, be sure to negotiate the pricing with your healthcare provider. Often healthcare providers who accept cash (not all do) will reduce their fees when they know a person must pay out-of-pocket.
  4. Don't pursue the test or treatment. This option is a distant fourth. This option is basically only acceptable if you don't really believe you need the test or treatment. In which case, you wouldn't be asking this question.

Other tips that might help this process go smoother include:

  • Keep careful records. Write down dates, times, and names of anyone you speak with at your insurance company. Request that any recommendations or changes be confirmed in writing, preferably via email so it carries a stamp for time and date. In other words, create a paper trail.
  • Read through your benefit plan carefully. Be prepared to give reasons which support the requirements of your plan. You will probably feel frustrated by having to tell your insurance company what is written in their plan, but it's not uncommon to have to do so.

Bottom Line

Health insurance denials can be terribly frustrating when you are the patient. Even more so when your healthcare provider believes you should have a particular test or treatment. It's easy to become angry and want to scream.

Instead, it's often best to think carefully through your options. As a first step, talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives that are covered. Knowing these options, you can then objectify your situation by listing out pros and cons for both the covered and non-covered treatments. Every person is different and there may be clear indications why one treatment is better (either in efficacy or side effects) than another based on your particular medical situation. Many healthcare providers will "go to bat" for you if this is the case.

If it honestly appears that the non-covered test or treatment would be better for you, don't give up. Fight the denial. As you do this, keep in mind that insurers are looking at numbers when making decisions, and people aren't statistics. Your insurer has only limited information when reviewing your request, and sometimes simply needs a little more "education" into your condition and personal medical history to recognize the need for the desired treatment.

Even if your insurer ultimately denies your treatment, (after you fight the denial) keep in mind that they are not the ultimate authority on your health. Though it may be a major expense, the option to self-pay still remains. If you don't have the money in your checking account, as most people do not, consider ways to fund the treatment such as taking out another mortgage, borrowing from friends and family, using Go Fund Me pages on Facebook, having a fundraiser and much more. If you go this route, remember that medical expenses you pay for out of pocket are often tax-deductible, and in a situation such as this, often add up to give significant relief.

Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

By Trisha Torrey
 Trisha Torrey is a patient empowerment and advocacy consultant. She has written several books about patient advocacy and how to best navigate the healthcare system.