Jennifer was diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2023. Since then, she has learned that fighting cancer also means fighting her insurance company.

For more than three months, Jennifer’s insurer delayed approval for a medically necessary monthly injection prescribed to treat cancer‑related bone damage and relieve severe pain. During that time, the pain became unbearable—and her health suffered.

“I couldn’t take deep breaths for three months because it hurt so badly,” Jennifer said.
“It felt like broken ribs. You can’t inhale like you normally would.”

Instead of receiving the medication her doctors said she needed, Jennifer was forced to rely on high doses of Tylenol just to function. That temporary solution came with serious consequences. Already living with kidney disease from cancer treatment, Jennifer worried every day about the damage the pain medication was doing to her body.

“I was taking so much Tylenol because of the pain,” she said.
“I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

As the delays dragged on, Jennifer’s condition worsened. Her kidney function deteriorated, creating risks that could have been avoided if her prescribed treatment had been approved when it was ordered.

“Instead, I spent months in pain for no medical reason,” said Jennifer.

Jennifer’s experience shows the real human cost of insurance delays and denials. These tactics don’t just slow care—they cause suffering, worsen health, and put patients in impossible positions when they are already fighting for their lives.

Patients deserve timely access to the care their doctors recommend—without insurer interference.

When Wendy’s mother became seriously ill, her doctors determined she needed post‑acute rehabilitation to recover and regain independence. A rehabilitation hospital reviewed her case and pre‑approved her for admission, confirming rehab was medically necessary.

Then the insurance company stepped in — and denied coverage.

Despite physician recommendations and a facility ready to provide care, UnitedHealthcare refused to approve rehabilitation services. Wendy appealed the denial through multiple levels, including an administrative law judge. The process was confusing, overwhelming, and stacked against patients and families. The final decision was based on incorrect information — not her mother’s true medical needs.

Because rehab was denied, Wendy’s mother never received the therapy she needed to heal. Instead, she was placed in long‑term nursing home care, a setting she did not want and did not medically require. The chance to regain strength, function, and independence was lost.

Today, Wendy’s mother remains in a nursing facility against her wishes — not because it is the right level of care, but because an insurer denied coverage.

Wendy’s story shows how insurance denials can redirect care, disrupt recovery, and leave families struggling to navigate a broken system.

Access Denied is about changing that system — so insurance companies stop standing between patients and the care they need.

In August 2023, Rachel’s 10‑month‑old son, Myles, needed a medically necessary pediatric surgery. Living in Northwest Indiana, the closest specialist was in Chicago. Before anything was scheduled, United Healthcare—Myles' insurance at the time—issued written pre‑approval for the procedure. Rachel, the pediatrician, and the surgeon all received copies confirming it was authorized. Their pediatrician also warned that without the surgery, Myles faced a significantly higher risk of serious health problems later in life, including cancer.

The surgery went well, but just days later, Rachel learned that United Healthcare had denied the claim. Despite their own approval letter, they began giving shifting explanations: out of network, wrong approval code, not the primary insurance, no authorization on file. At one point, they even denied anesthesia charges, calling them “not medically necessary” for an infant’s surgery.

For ten months, Rachel appealed every denial.

First appeal: denied.

Second appeal: denied.

Final appeal—with letters from multiple physicians—denied again.

All while working full time, caring for her older child, and preparing for Myles' second surgery. Every doctor involved tried to help, but United continued to refuse payment.

By March 2024, out of options, Rachel contacted an attorney. Only then did United Healthcare suddenly reverse course, calling the denial a “mistake.” The $50,000 claim was dropped, and Rachel paid only a small out‑of‑pocket amount.

Myles is now three and a half—healthy, thriving, and full of energy. But the emotional toll of the fight still stays with Rachel.

“They take advantage of people when they’re vulnerable,” she says. “We did everything right. This was medically necessary. No family should have to go through this.”

Her message to others facing insurance denials:

“Don’t give up. Just keep fighting.”

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