Health Insurers Have Been Breaking State Laws for Years

States have enacted hundreds of laws dictating what insurers must cover.

But health plans have violated these mandates at least dozens of times in the last five years , ProPublica found.

Regulators often don’t investigate health insurance denials unless policyholders or their families complain.

State insurance departments are responsible for enforcing these laws, but many are ill-equipped to do so.

Texas woman was left with more than $12,000 in bills because of an out-of-network appendectomy.

Lawmakers say insurers are still saying no often enough that he’s considering introducing a third bill.

Not all health plans have to follow state mandates, but state laws can be more robust.

In response to questions, UnitedHealth spokesperson Maria Gordon Shydlo wrote that “there is not enough medical evidence to support use of all those tests.” As Peterson undergoes a treatment plan tailored to the genetic test results, she is continuing to appeal the denials months later . “We’re told that we have this great insurance,” Peterson said. “But then they deny coverage for the testing that determined what my treatment would be. How do you even get your head around this?”.