A Consumer Guide to Handling Disputes with Your Private or Employer Health Plan
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Kansas General Information and Internal Plan Review: Kansas requires health plans to have and disclose their internal grievance procedures to their members. If your request for services is turned down, you will receive an adverse determination letter from your health plan. If a final decision has not been made within 60 days (unless the delay was due to your request), you may file for independent medical review. The Independent Medical Review Process: Whom to contact: | Kansas Insurance Commissioner | Who can appeal: | You, your provider (with consent), or your authorized representative | What you can appeal: | Denials of coverage for services the health plan determines are not medically necessary or are experimental or investigational. | When you can appeal: | After denial for coverage has been appealed through all levels of the health plan’s internal process (except for an expedited appeal), you must file within 90 days from the adverse determination. | What to send: | A completed form, which includes a medical records release. You should also write a letter summarizing your situation and providing as much information as possible, including any medical literature that supports your case. | What you must pay: | No charge | What will happen: | - The Insurance Commissioner reviews the case within 10 days to determine if it qualifies for review.
- If the case is accepted, it is sent to the external review organization.
- You and your health plan have 7 days to provide additional information.
- The case is assigned to a physician.
- The review organization notifies you, your health plan, and the Insurance Commissioner of the decision.
| When you will get a decision: | Within 30 business days after submitting your request | In urgent situations: | An expedited review is available for an emergency medical condition; the case is immediately evaluated and sent to the review organization, you have 5 days to provide additional information, and a decision will be made within 7 business days. |
How to Get More Information: Kansas Insurance Department, 800-432-2484 (in-state) www.ksinsurance.org Information updated as of 9-15-2004 |
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