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Insurance Denial Intelligence

49 million claims are denied every year. Less than 1% are appealed. When patients do appeal, 82% of prior auth appeals succeed (AMA, 2024). Research your insurer below.

49M+

Claims denied annually

<1%

Of denials are appealed

82%

Prior auth appeal success rate

Sources: KFF (2024), AMA Prior Authorization Survey (2024), HHS OIG (2018). Rates vary by insurer and claim type.

Insurer Playbooks

Select your insurer to view denial patterns, appeal strategies, and known weaknesses.

UnitedHealthcare

EmployerIndividualMedicare Advantage+1
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal), 45 days (external)
View playbook

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

EmployerIndividualMedicare Advantage+1
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal), 45 days (external)
View playbook

Aetna (CVS Health)

EmployerIndividualMedicare Advantage+1
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal), 45 days (external)
View playbook

Cigna Healthcare

EmployerIndividualMedicare Advantage
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal), 45 days (external)
View playbook

Humana

Medicare AdvantageEmployerIndividual+1
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal for MA), standard CMS timelines
View playbook

Kaiser Permanente

HMOMedicare AdvantageMedicaid
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal), 45 days (external)
View playbook

Centene / WellCare / Ambetter

MedicaidMedicare AdvantageACA Marketplace+1
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal), varies by state for fair hearings
View playbook

Molina Healthcare

MedicaidMedicare AdvantageACA Marketplace
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal), varies by state
View playbook

Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP)

Federal Employee
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (plan level), 45-60 days (OPM)
View playbook

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

EmployerIndividualMedicare Advantage+1
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal), 45 days (external)
View playbook

Oscar Health

IndividualACA MarketplaceSmall Group
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal), 45 days (external)
View playbook

TRICARE (Military Health)

TRICARE PrimeTRICARE SelectTRICARE for Life
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30-60 days (contractor), 60-90 days (DHA)
View playbook

Independence Blue Cross

EmployerIndividualMedicare Advantage+1
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal), 45 days (external)
View playbook

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

EmployerIndividualMedicare Advantage
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal), 45 days (external)
View playbook

Blue Cross Blue Shield of California (Anthem Blue Cross)

EmployerIndividualACA Marketplace+2
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal), 45 days (DMHC IMR)
View playbook

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

EmployerIndividualACA Marketplace+2
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal), 45 days (external review)
View playbook

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas

EmployerIndividualACA Marketplace+2
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal), 45 days (IRO review)
View playbook

Florida Blue (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida)

EmployerIndividualACA Marketplace+1
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal), 45 days (external review)
View playbook

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

EmployerIndividualACA Marketplace+2
4 known denial patterns
Response: 30 days (internal), 45 days (external review)
View playbook

Medicare Fee-for-Service (Traditional Medicare)

Medicare Part AMedicare Part BMedicare Part D
5 known denial patterns
Response: 60 days (redetermination), 60 days (reconsideration), 90 days (ALJ)
View playbook

CVS Caremark (Pharmacy Benefit Manager)

Pharmacy Benefit (employer)Medicare Part DMedicaid Pharmacy+1
4 known denial patterns
Response: 72 hours (expedited Part D), 14 days (standard Part D), 30 days (commercial)
View playbook

Express Scripts (Pharmacy Benefit Manager)

Pharmacy Benefit (employer)Medicare Part DMedicaid Pharmacy+1
4 known denial patterns
Response: 72 hours (expedited Part D), 14 days (standard Part D), 30 days (commercial)
View playbook

OptumRx (Pharmacy Benefit Manager)

Pharmacy Benefit (employer)Medicare Part DMedicaid Pharmacy+1
4 known denial patterns
Response: 72 hours (expedited Part D), 14 days (standard Part D), 30 days (commercial)
View playbook

Medicaid (State Medicaid Program — Generic Template)

Medicaid Fee-for-ServiceMedicaid Managed CareCHIP
5 known denial patterns
Response: 30-45 days (MCO internal), 90 days (state fair hearing)
View playbook

Denial Categories

Common reasons insurers deny claims, and what they mean for your appeal.

Medical Necessity

Service deemed not medically necessary

Experimental/Investigational

Treatment considered experimental

Out of Network

Provider not in plan network

Prior Authorization

Required prior authorization not obtained

Not Covered

Service not covered under plan

Timely Filing

Claim filed past deadline

Duplicate Claim

Claim considered a duplicate

Coding Error

CPT/ICD coding mismatch

Incomplete Documentation

Missing required documentation

Formulary

Drug not on formulary

Step Therapy

Must try other treatments first

Benefit Exclusion

Explicitly excluded by plan

Coordination of Benefits

Other insurance should pay

Administrative

Administrative/procedural issue

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This information is for educational purposes based on publicly available data including CMS reports, state insurance department filings, and published insurer guidelines. It does not constitute legal, medical, or financial advice. Individual results vary. Statistics are industry averages and do not represent Lysco-specific outcomes.