Top 5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Health Insurance Lawyer

August 28, 2024

The Importance of Choosing the Right Health Insurance Lawyer

If your health insurance claim has been denied by your insurance company, you are likely feeling a host of emotions.  You may be frustrated, because you did everything you were supposed to do.  You may be aggravated, because you know that resolving your issues is going to take a lot of time-consuming work. And you may be worried, either because you cannot afford to shoulder your unreimbursed costs or because your health is in danger as your insurer refused to provide preauthorization for necessary treatment.

The good news is that your insurance company’s initial decision may not be their final word. You have the option to launch an appeal. The bad news is that this process is time consuming and requires knowledge and experience to complete successfully.

In cases like this, engaging a health insurance lawyer may be in your best interests.  You can rely on this professional to manage your appeal from start to finish, and even file a bad faith lawsuit on your behalf if need be.

Clearly, deciding with whom you should work is an important decision.

The choice you make can have a tangible impact on the outcome of your case.

Top 5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Health Insurance Lawyer

Many health insurance claims attorneys offer their prospective clients a no-cost consultation. This, in and of itself, shows that they value client interaction and believe in the importance of connection when it comes to choosing representation.

Taking advantage of this “perk” is important. You want the opportunity to meet with someone prior to engaging them to see if they are the right professional for your needs.  Below is a list of questions to ask those with whom you meet.  Their answers will provide valuable insight into their experience, service approach, and reputation, all important factors to consider.

What is your firm’s primary area of focus?

In the legal community, in Oklahoma and throughout the United States, there are generalists and specialists.  Generalists offer legal advice and counsel in a broad range of areas, while specialists focus on one specific portion of the law. Insurance law is incredibly technical; attorneys practicing it require significant focus in order to become knowledgeable and provide their clients the advice and counsel they need.

You want to ensure that the firm you are considering focuses on insurance law; you need to work with a professional committed to this area, not someone who simply dabbles in it.

What is your experience with health insurance bad faith cases?

While insurance law is important, the professional you select should also have hands-on experience in bad faith cases. This area of the law is incredibly nuanced; while sometimes insurance companies’ bad faith actions and decisions are bold in nature, other times they are more subtle.

A seasoned professional will be well-versed in the laws governing bad faith behaviors; he or she will be able to identify bad faith actions and successfully negotiate for settlements.  They will also need to be aggressive litigators who will not hesitate to take your case to trial should they be unable to reach an acceptable agreement with your insurance company’s representative.  Insurance companies are required by law to act in good faith; when they don’t, an attorney experienced in this area can help you address their denials and reach a positive outcome.

How do you handle communication with clients?

While experience is crucial, approach to service is equally important. While insurance delays, denials, and underpayments happen all the time, when they happen to you, the impact is personal. You want to work with a health insurance lawyer who communicates clearly, compassionately, and regularly. While you want them to handle the everyday details of your task, you also want to be kept apprised of their progress.

Additionally, working with a professional who welcomes questions and concerns is incredibly valuable. The language and process that lead to resolution can be difficult to understand for lay people. Knowing you can call with questions is important.

What happens if you cannot reach an appropriate settlement during negotiations with my insurance company?

This is a critical question.  While reaching a settlement during the negotiation process is ideal (and the manner in which most bad faith cases are settled), it is not always possible. Unresolvable disagreements on the existence of bad faith or the extent of damages can lead to a deadlock when it comes to reaching an appropriate settlement.

Thus, you want to work with a professional who is committed to and experienced in representing you from beginning to end. They must be skillful negotiators, but also must be willing to go the extra mile and litigate your case if need be.  You want to be sure they have successful courtroom experience. References matter!

What are your fees and billing structure?

Understanding the fee and billing structure of your health insurance lawyer prior to engaging them is wise. If you are looking for a health insurance lawyer, you are already concerned about monies owed to you or the potential costs of assuming financial responsibility for your medical care.

The last thing you need is a surprise attorney bill at the conclusion of your case.

You will likely find a variety of responses to your question. While some attorneys may work on an hourly basis, others may offer the option of a contingency fee, where they will take a portion of the settlement awarded as compensation. (If you settle for $100,000, for example, and have an agreement for a 30% contingency fee, your attorney will receive $30,000 and you will take home $70,000.)  While these fees may seem considerable, you would not owe anything unless they win your case; the law firm assumes all financial risk.

Engaging a Qualified Health Insurance Lawyer

Knowledge, Experience and Approach Make a Difference

Asking the right questions to identify and engage the best health insurance lawyer for your needs is important. The journey on which you are about to embark is significant.  Because of your health insurance company’s decision, your claim has been delayed, denied, or underpaid.  Addressing their decision appropriately can mean the difference between successfully resolving your issues and assuming responsibility for the cost of your treatment.

Attorney Doug Terry and his team are well-known throughout Oklahoma as outstanding health insurance lawyers. Their decades of experience have prepared them for every scenario, and their approach to service is compassionate and respected.

Prior to founding his firm, Mr. Terry spent years working for the insurance companies. Thus, he has firsthand experience with the tactics they take in negotiating and litigating their bad faith cases, and he knows how to successfully react to them. Every day he leverages his knowledge and experience on behalf of his clients.  That said, he never relies on this in place of gaining an understanding of each specific individual and case he assumes.  He knows that no two cases are identical and recognizes that the impact of insurance company decisions is personal and often life altering.

Contact Doug Terry Law Today

If your health insurance claim has been denied, reach out to Doug Terry Law today at 405-463-6362 to schedule a free consultation. During this meeting he can provide answers to the top five questions shared above, along with any others that you may have.  He knows how to successfully manage the appeals process for denied health care claims and is a skilled negotiator and litigator. His reputation for providing high quality responsive service is outstanding, and he is ready to go to work for you immediately.