How to be Proactive After a Medical Denial

Learn how to respond to a denial adequately and professionally to increase your chances of a denial being overturned.

Medical denials come in various forms from the type of denial to the party making the adverse determination. When a medical provider receives a denial, it commonly includes limited reasoning justifying the denial and a summary of appeal rights afforded to contest the decision. However, even with the receipt of this information, the medical provider may not understand how this process works or how to present an adequate response to the denial. It prepares a submission that only responds to the initial basis of the medical denial not realizing an extended appeals process offers the party issuing the denial an opportunity to utilize other justifications for the adverse decision. It may not comprehend requirements as to how to submit evidence refuting the denial. Furthermore, a medical provider may not understand the long-term implications of failing to respond adequately to such a denial. One may overcome these issues by being proactive in addressing medical denials. This topic explains the medical denial appeals process and how one should proactively prepare their case to take advantage of the opportunities afforded to them. It will also describe in detail how to present a response to address the initial denial, how to proactively anticipate and circumvent in advance subsequent reasoning that may be used against the medical provider, and ensure that a waiver of appeal rights does not occur. This information will assist those individuals responsible for responding to medical denials to develop and implement best practices by illustrating examples of approaches to take when creating standard operating procedures for responsive actions. Failure to do so may result in the submission of insufficient evidence to support the medical provider's argument or even result in a waiver of a right that is guaranteed under law or by contract. This material is critical for medical providers to adequately approach, prepare, and present their reasoning and evidence to support their argument that the medical denial should be overturned.