Shumita Basu

She told us about one family's journey through the claims system. Emily Beck contracted COVID-19 and viral pneumonia when she was in kindergarten in 2021.

She told us about one family's journey through the claims system. Emily Beck contracted COVID-19 and viral pneumonia when she was in kindergarten in 2021.

By this time, Emily was nine years old, and a specialist recommended an infusion therapy that, according to one study, could potentially improve her symptoms significantly. But their insurer, UnitedHealthcare, wouldn't cover it.

By this time, Emily was nine years old, and a specialist recommended an infusion therapy that, according to one study, could potentially improve her symptoms significantly. But their insurer, UnitedHealthcare, wouldn't cover it.

By this time, Emily was nine years old, and a specialist recommended an infusion therapy that, according to one study, could potentially improve her symptoms significantly. But their insurer, UnitedHealthcare, wouldn't cover it.

Insurance companies argue to remain solvent, they have to make calls on which types of medical care merit reimbursement and which don't. But with rare conditions, because the number of cases are so small, it can be difficult for patients to find documentation that proves a drug or treatment works.

Insurance companies argue to remain solvent, they have to make calls on which types of medical care merit reimbursement and which don't. But with rare conditions, because the number of cases are so small, it can be difficult for patients to find documentation that proves a drug or treatment works.

Insurance companies argue to remain solvent, they have to make calls on which types of medical care merit reimbursement and which don't. But with rare conditions, because the number of cases are so small, it can be difficult for patients to find documentation that proves a drug or treatment works.

Paying out of pocket for Emily's treatment would have cost her family close to $36,000, much more than they could afford. It took multiple appeals to UnitedHealthcare and a team of care providers who provided documentation to prove her treatment was necessary and urgent before the Beck family got approved.

Paying out of pocket for Emily's treatment would have cost her family close to $36,000, much more than they could afford. It took multiple appeals to UnitedHealthcare and a team of care providers who provided documentation to prove her treatment was necessary and urgent before the Beck family got approved.

Paying out of pocket for Emily's treatment would have cost her family close to $36,000, much more than they could afford. It took multiple appeals to UnitedHealthcare and a team of care providers who provided documentation to prove her treatment was necessary and urgent before the Beck family got approved.

Mornau put together a list of tips to make appealing a denied claim less daunting. She said, first, research what your insurance plan covers. Take notes from any calls with insurance that you have, including the name of who you spoke to. And she recommends acting quickly. Many insurance companies have deadlines for filing appeals that you'll want to be aware of.

Mornau put together a list of tips to make appealing a denied claim less daunting. She said, first, research what your insurance plan covers. Take notes from any calls with insurance that you have, including the name of who you spoke to. And she recommends acting quickly. Many insurance companies have deadlines for filing appeals that you'll want to be aware of.

Mornau put together a list of tips to make appealing a denied claim less daunting. She said, first, research what your insurance plan covers. Take notes from any calls with insurance that you have, including the name of who you spoke to. And she recommends acting quickly. Many insurance companies have deadlines for filing appeals that you'll want to be aware of.

We'll link to her reporting and tips in our show notes page in the Apple News app. Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following. Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages today, including those who are believed to be the youngest and one of the oldest hostages. They include the remains of Ariel and Kafir Bibas, who were four years old and nine months old when they were taken.

We'll link to her reporting and tips in our show notes page in the Apple News app. Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following. Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages today, including those who are believed to be the youngest and one of the oldest hostages. They include the remains of Ariel and Kafir Bibas, who were four years old and nine months old when they were taken.

We'll link to her reporting and tips in our show notes page in the Apple News app. Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following. Hamas returned the bodies of four hostages today, including those who are believed to be the youngest and one of the oldest hostages. They include the remains of Ariel and Kafir Bibas, who were four years old and nine months old when they were taken.

Their mother, Shiri, and 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz. All were taken from their homes in the same kibbutz on October 7th. The Bibas family had come to symbolize the horrors suffered by those captured by Hamas after video circulated showing Shiri clinging to her children while surrounded by militants. Her husband, Yarden, was released alive earlier this month.

Their mother, Shiri, and 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz. All were taken from their homes in the same kibbutz on October 7th. The Bibas family had come to symbolize the horrors suffered by those captured by Hamas after video circulated showing Shiri clinging to her children while surrounded by militants. Her husband, Yarden, was released alive earlier this month.

Their mother, Shiri, and 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz. All were taken from their homes in the same kibbutz on October 7th. The Bibas family had come to symbolize the horrors suffered by those captured by Hamas after video circulated showing Shiri clinging to her children while surrounded by militants. Her husband, Yarden, was released alive earlier this month.