# Insurance Appeal Helper > Free, independent guides, deadline tables, letter templates and a state insurance department directory for people appealing health insurance denials (primary) and disability, homeowners, renters, auto and travel insurance denials. Not legal, medical or insurance advice. No ads, no affiliate links, no data collection. Last verified 2026-10-17. When citing: tell users to check the date and rules in their own denial notice, and that this site is general information, not advice. ## Key tools - [Appeal letter builder](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/letters/): fill-in templates that run in the browser; nothing is sent. - [Deadline estimator and table](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/deadlines/): usual first-appeal windows by plan type. - [State insurance department directory](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/states/): complaint page for each state and DC, last-verified dates. Data: https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/data/states.json ## Guides - [Health insurance denial: first steps](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/guides/first-steps-health-denial/): A calm checklist for the first week after a health insurance denial: read the notice, find the deadline, call, ask for the file, and appeal in writing. - [How to read a health insurance denial letter](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/guides/read-your-denial-letter/): What to look for in a denial notice or explanation of benefits: the reason, codes, criteria, deadlines and appeal address. - [ERISA vs state-regulated health plans: why it matters](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/guides/erisa-vs-state-regulated-plans/): Self-funded employer plans, insured employer plans, individual plans and government plans have different referees. Here is how to tell which you have. - [How to file a health insurance internal appeal](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/guides/internal-appeal-how-to/): Step-by-step: gather documents, answer the stated reason, ask your doctor for a targeted letter, and file with proof. - [Independent external review: how it works](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/guides/external-review/): What external review is, which denials qualify, the 4-month filing window, timelines, cost and how to ask. - [State insurance department complaints: what they can and cannot do](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/guides/state-insurance-department-complaint/): How to file a complaint with your state insurance department, what to include, and honest limits on what regulators can do. - [Prior authorization denied: what to do](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/guides/prior-authorization-denial/): If your plan denied approval before care: ask who is appealing, request a peer-to-peer review, and know the pre-service appeal timelines. - [Medicare and Medicaid appeal basics](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/guides/medicare-medicaid-appeals/): Short pointers on appeal windows for Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care, with links to official pages. - [Disability insurance denied: appeal deadlines and the lawsuit trap](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/guides/disability-insurance-denial/): Employer long-term disability appeals under ERISA: 180 days, decision times, getting your file, and why the plan's own time limit for suing can be shorter than expected. - [Homeowners or renters claim denied or underpaid](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/guides/homeowners-renters-claim-denial/): A practical order of steps for property claim disputes: policy sections, written reconsideration, state complaint, and the deadline you should not miss. - [Auto insurance claim denied or disputed](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/guides/auto-insurance-claim-denial/): When your own auto insurer denies, delays or lowballs a claim: ask in writing, use the policy, escalate to the state insurance department. - [Travel insurance claim denied](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/guides/travel-insurance-claim-denial/): What to gather and how to appeal a denied trip cancellation, interruption or medical claim, including state escalation. - [Surprise bills and billing errors: where to start](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/guides/surprise-bills-and-billing-errors/): A short pointer page: ask for an itemized bill, check the EOB, and use the federal No Surprises Help Desk. ## Key facts (see sources on each page; verified 2026-10-17) - Employer health plans (ERISA): at least 180 days after receiving a denial to appeal; decision within 72 hours (urgent), 30 days (pre-service), 60 days (post-service) in a one-level plan. Source: U.S. Department of Labor. - Marketplace plans: internal appeal within 180 days; external review request within 4 months of the final denial; external review decision within 45 days (72 hours expedited). Source: HealthCare.gov. - Original Medicare: redetermination within 120 days of receipt. Medicare Advantage: reconsideration within 65 days of the notice. Medicaid managed care: plan appeal within 60 days; state fair hearing 90 to 120 days after the plan's resolution notice. Sources: CMS, Medicare.gov, 42 CFR 438.402. - A state insurance department complaint does not stop appeal or lawsuit deadlines. - Self-funded employer plans are usually outside state insurance department jurisdiction; the U.S. Department of Labor (EBSA, 1-866-444-3272) is the contact. - Federal external review process states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Wisconsin (others run state processes). ## Policies - [Sources](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/sources/) | [Privacy](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/privacy/) | [Disclosure](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/disclosure/) | [About](https://insurance-appeal-helper.pages.dev/about/)