University of Michigan Health Plan claim denials in Michigan: the federal figures
University of Michigan Health Plan denied 18.4% of in-network claims in Michigan — 60,035 claims out of 325,878. Here is what happened to the people who appealed.
What happened to appeals
| Stage | Filed | Overturned |
|---|---|---|
| Internal appeal (to University of Michigan Health Plan) | 25 | 44% |
| External review (independent) | — | 100% |
What University of Michigan Health Plan denies most
The most common denial reason recorded for University of Michigan Health Plan plans in Michigan is administrative reason. How that denial is beaten →
| Denial reason | Claims | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative reason | 48,179 | 55.2% |
| Service excluded from the plan | 12,871 | 14.8% |
| Benefit limit reached | 10,657 | 12.2% |
| Provider out of network | 9,438 | 10.8% |
| Member not covered | 3,310 | 3.8% |
| Referral required | 2,361 | 2.7% |
| Other reasons | 423 | 0.5% |
| Not medically necessary | 16 | 0% |
What to do if University of Michigan Health Plan denied your claim
- Get the reason in writing. The denial notice must state the specific reason and the plan provision behind it. If it does not, request it — you are entitled to it free of charge.
- File the internal appeal. Generally within 180 days of the denial notice. University of Michigan Health Plan overturned 44% of the internal appeals it received.
- If they say no again, go external. An independent organization reviews it — not University of Michigan Health Plan. Generally you have 4 months from the final internal denial. This is the step nearly everyone skips.
- Ask for expedited review if waiting would seriously jeopardise your health. That timeline is days, not months.
Everything you need for your University of Michigan Health Plan appeal: your two deadlines, the argument that fits your denial reason, an evidence checklist, and the external review request. Opens on screen the moment you pay.
Questions
Is University of Michigan Health Plan's denial rate high?
18.4% against a national average of 16% across the plans in this dataset. It is above average. A denial rate describes the insurer, not the merits of your claim.
Does appealing cost anything?
The internal appeal is free. External review is free under the HHS-administered federal process; where an issuer uses a contracted independent review organization or a state process, any fee is capped at $25.
Can University of Michigan Health Plan ignore the external decision?
No. External review decisions are binding on the plan.