If your plan refuses to cover medically necessary services that are recommended by your doctor, you have the right to appeal this decision and have it reviewed by an independent third party.

You have the right to:

• Ask the insurer to reconsider its decision.
• Know why an insurer denied your claim or ended your coverage.
• Know how to challenge the insurer’s decision.

Typically, you must first go through a process called the “internal appeals process” where you appeal directly to your insurer. If you are unhappy with the result from the internal appeal, you can then request an “external review” from an independent third party.

We recommend going through this process because many denials are overturned during the appeals process. If you need help filing an internal appeal or external review, contact your state’s consumer assistance program or insurance department.

If you are denied coverage for transition-related care or discriminated against at any point in this process, contact a legal organization here. Read more about your rights here and here.