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Managing Insurance Claims Denials

Claims form

Medical insurance claims can be complicated and confusing. Unfortunately, many people find their claims are denied for a variety of reasons. If a claim you submit for your child’s medical care is denied, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Don’t worry; we are here to help. In this blog post, we will discuss why these denials occur and how to manage them.

Common Reasons Why Claims Are Denied 

There are several common reasons why medical insurance claims are denied. Most often it is because the claim has been filed incorrectly or the paperwork was incomplete. If any information is missing or incorrect on the documentation you submit with your claim, it could be denied automatically. This includes details like the patient’s name, ID number, or date of service. It’s also important to make sure any supporting documents such as receipts or X-ray reports are included with the claim form when submitting it to the insurer. Carefully review all forms and documents before submitting them to avoid this issue. 

Another common cause of denial is that the treatment requested is not covered by the plan. Before undergoing any treatment, it is important to understand what your plan covers and what it does not cover so you can make an informed decision about how best to proceed with treatment. Your doctor’s office should be able to help with this by suggesting acceptable options.

Finally, some plans require pre-authorization for certain treatments or services for them to be covered by insurance. This means that before receiving such treatments or services, you must contact your insurer and provide them with the necessary information so they can determine whether they will cover the cost. This authorization must be confirmed before treatment begins.       

What To Do Next 

If your medical insurance claim has been denied, don’t panic! First, read the denial letter carefully so you understand why your claim was denied and what steps need to be taken next to have it approved. Many times, an appeal process will be outlined in the letter; if that’s the case, follow those instructions carefully to submit an appeal as soon as possible. 

Additionally, contact your insurer directly if you have questions or concerns about why a specific treatment was not covered under your plan, so you can better understand their policies and procedures in the future. You can also work with your child’s school for support and help with this process.

Navigating medical insurance claims denials can seem daunting at first, but with a little knowledge about why these denials occur and how best to file an appeal (if necessary), it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Additionally, understanding why claims are denied will help you avoid these circumstances during your child’s year in the U.S. 


When your child is studying in a foreign country, their health and safety are priorities. Let ISM’s International Scholar Protection give you peace of mind knowing your child has access to high-quality health care (offered by the Blue Cross Blue Shield® PPO network) no matter where they are in the U.S.
Contact insurance@isminc.com for more information.