How do I appeal a health insurance denial?

You can appeal a health insurance denial by writing a formal appeal letter citing the specific reason for denial, relevant medical evidence, and applicable federal and state laws. Healthcare Watchdog's free AI tool generates a professional appeal letter in minutes, citing the exact laws and regulations your insurer may have violated.

Is this insurance appeal tool really free?

Yes, Healthcare Watchdog's AI appeal letter generator is completely free. There are no hidden fees, no paywalls, and no data sold. The platform was built by a patient who experienced insurance denial firsthand.

What types of insurance denials can I appeal?

You can appeal medical necessity denials, out-of-network denials, prior authorization denials, experimental treatment denials, and more. Our tool works for all major insurers including UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Humana.

How long do I have to appeal an insurance denial?

Appeal deadlines vary by state and insurer, typically ranging from 30 to 180 days. Under the ACA, you generally have 180 days for internal appeals and 4 months for external review. Check your specific state's deadlines on our State Rights page.

What is the success rate of insurance appeals?

Studies show that roughly 50% of insurance appeals are successful, yet fewer than 1% of denied claims are ever appealed. This means millions of people are paying for care that should have been covered. A well-written appeal letter with proper legal citations significantly increases your chances.

Back to Case Database

OngoingCourtListenercivil lawsuit

Shelton v. Optum Services, Inc.

E.D. Mo. (Federal) -- Filed May 29, 2026

View Source

How This Affects You

This federal court case against UnitedHealthcare demonstrates legal accountability and may be relevant to your insurance dispute.

Use this case in your appeal letter

Case Summary

Original Source

Case Details

Case Number

CL-4:26-cv-00852

Defendant

Optum

Jurisdiction

Federal

Violation Type

regulatory violation

Filed

May 29, 2026

Keywords

unitedhealthinsurancelawsuitfederal courtacaaffordable care actoptumdiscrimination

Source: courtlistener

Last updated: June 17, 2026