Filing a Health Insurance Claim

Dealing with an illness or an injury is difficult enough without having to battle your insurer to get your health insurance claim settled. Health insurance companies are notorious for denying legitimate claims, which means receiving the benefits you deserve may take some time and patience. However, by following these steps, you can simplify the health insurance claims process tremendously. Here is what you need to do to get your claim settled as soon as possible.

1. Obtain an itemized bill. You will need to ask your physician for this document, which lists all of the services your physician provided to you as well as their costs. You will have to attach this itemized bill to your health insurance claim form once you receive it. You and your health insurance company's claims representatives should know the exact amount of your claim before you begin the process.
2. Pay the portion of the costs for which you are responsible. Most health insurance policies have deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, and other costs that policyholders must cover out of pocket. Take care of your portion of your medical expenses before submitting your claim.
3. Consult your policy or talk to a claims representative. The health insurance claims process will go much faster and smoother if you find out which procedures, treatments, and medications are covered by your policy ahead of time. Consult your policy documents to find out if your treatments are covered. If you have questions, contact a claims representative from your health insurer.
4. Obtain a claims form. Filing a health insurance claim requires the policyholder to obtain the appropriate claims form from the insurer. Some insurers allow policyholders to request these forms via telephone, and they are then sent in the mail. Often, insurers will also have the forms available to download from their Website.
5. Make copies. Complete the health insurance claim form and then make copies of all documents you're sending to your health insurer. These copies will also make it easier to resubmit your claim if anything goes wrong with the first submission. Also remember to copy doctor bills, hospital bills, prescription receipts, and so on.
6. Review and send. Review your health insurance claim to verify that all of the information is accurate. Even small errors can seriously delay the health insurance claims process. Once you've reviewed the paperwork for accuracy, send it to the appropriate parties, such as the insurance company, doctors, and so on.