Should you be denied coverage for a health claim or service, you will be notified in writing and will be provided with information on the Funds’ appeal procedure. The following letter explains the Funds’ appeal process.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has regulations governing your right to file a Medicare Appeal. As a Medicare-eligible beneficiary of a health plan administered by the UMWA Health and Retirement Funds (the “Funds”), you have a right to a Medicare Appeal. Your appeal rights include a standard 30 calendar day appeal for a service, a standard 60 calendar day appeal for payment and a 72 hour expedited appeal. This notice informs you of the current Medicare Appeal process. In addition, we provide you with useful information when filing a standard or expedited appeal.
You Have a Right To Appeal
You can appeal if you do not agree with the Funds’ decision about your medical bills or health care. You have a right to appeal if you think:
The Funds normally has 30 calendar days to process your appeal for service and 60 calendar days to process your appeal for a payment. In some cases, you have a right to a faster 72-hour appeal. You can get a fast appeal if your health or ability to function could be seriously harmed by waiting 30 calendar days for a standard appeal. If you ask for a fast appeal, the Funds will decide if you get a 72-hour fast appeal. If not, your appeal will be processed in 30 calendar days. If any doctor asks the Funds to give you a fast appeal or supports your request for a fast appeal, the Funds must give it to you.
There are two kinds of standard appeals
1. Standard (30 calendar days) appeal for a service:
The Funds is responsible for processing your appeal request for service within 30 calendar days from the date the Funds receives your request or no later than the last day of the extension (up to 14 calendar days). Even though you may file your request with the Social Security Administration, that office will transfer your request to the Funds for processing.
14-day extension
An extension up to 14 calendar days is permitted for a 30 calendar day appeal if the extension of time benefits you; for example, if you need time to provide the Funds with additional information or if we need to have additional information. You will be notified in writing if the Funds need additional time (up to 14 calendar days) to process your request. You have the right to file an expedited grievance if you disagree with the Funds’ decision to grant itself an extension.
2. Standard (60 calendar days) appeal for a payment
The Funds is responsible for processing your appeal request for payment within 60 calendar days from the date the Funds receives your request.
1. File the request in writing, in person or by mail, or by telephone with the Funds or with an office of the Social Security Administration.
2. Written requests to the Funds should be mailed to:
UMWA Health and Retirement Funds
PO Box 292167
Nashville, TN 37229
3. Written requests may be faxed to the Funds at 1-800-382-7792.
4. Telephone requests can be made by calling 1-800-292-2288.
5. File your request within 60 calendar days of the date of the notice.
For a 30 calendar day appeal:
If the Funds does not rule in your favor, the Funds will forward your appeal request to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Independent Review Entity for a decision within 30 calendar days from the date the Funds received your request.
For a 60 calendar day appeal:
If the Funds does not rule in your favor, the Funds will forward your appeal request to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Independent Review Entity for a decision within 60 calendar days from the date the Funds received your request.
Expedited appeal is processed within 72 hours and does not apply to denials of payment.
14-Day Extension
An extension up to 14 calendar days is permitted for a 72-hour appeal if the Funds determines that an extension of time benefits you or if you request an extension; for example, if you need time to provide the Funds with additional information. You will be notified in writing if the Funds need additional time (up to 14 calendar days) to process your request. You have the right to file an expedited grievance if you disagree with the Funds decision to grant itself an extension.
1. File an oral or written request for a 72-hour appeal. Specifically state that “I want an expedited appeal, fast appeal or a 72-hour appeal” or “I believe that my health could be seriously harmed by waiting 30 calendar days for a normal appeal.”
2. To file a request orally, call 1-800-292-2288. The Funds will document the oral request in writing.
3. To hand-deliver your request, the Funds’ address is:
UMWA Health and Retirement Funds
801 Royal Parkway 3rd Floor
Nashville, TN 37214
4. To FAX your request, the Funds’ FAX number is 1-800-382-7792. If you are in a hospital or a nursing facility, you may request assistance in having your written appeal transmitted to the Funds by use of a FAX machine.
5. To mail a written request, our address is:
UMWA Health and Retirement Funds
PO Box 292167
Nashville, TN 37229
6. The 72-hour review time will not begin until your request for appeal is received.
7. You must file your request within 60 calendar days of the date of the notice.
If the Funds denies your request for an expedited appeal: the request will be processed within 30 calendar days or no later than the last day of the extension (up to 14 additional calendar days) from the date the Funds received your request for an expedited appeal. You have the right to file an expedited grievance with the Funds at 1-800-291-1425, if the Funds denies your request for an expedited appeal.
If the Funds approves your request for an expedited appeal: the Funds will make a decision on your appeal and notify you of it within 72-hours of receipt of your request. If our decision is not fully in your favor, we will automatically forward your appeal request to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Independent Review Entity for an independent review within 24 hours of receipt of your request. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Independent Review Entity will send you a letter with their decision within 72 hours of receipt of your case from the Funds.
Support for Your Appeal, Who May File an Appeal, Help With Your Appeal, and Peer Review Organization Complaint Process
The following information applies to Standard and Expedited Appeals
You are not required to submit additional information to support your request for services or payment for services already received. The Funds is responsible for gathering all necessary medical information, however, it may be helpful to you to include relevant medical records or physician opinions in support of your appeal. To obtain medical records, send a written request to your primary care physician. If your medical records from specialist physicians are not included in your medical record from your primary care physician, you may need to make a separate written request to the specialist physician(s) who provided medical services to you.
If you decide to appeal and want help with your appeal, you may have your doctor, a friend, lawyer, or someone else help you. There are several groups that can help you. You may want to contact the Area Agency on Aging, the Insurance, Counseling and Assistance Program, the Medicare Rights Center at Toll-Free 1-800-466-9050. Your Funds’ Health Call Center (1-800-291-1425) can also help you.
The Funds’ Health Call Center provides prompt responses to your questions and concerns. We encourage you to contact us whenever you have a question or concern about your plan or physician. We will work with you to get your questions answered and your issues resolved quickly.
Feel free to contact the Health Call Center toll-free at 1-800-291-1425, if you have any questions.
We are here to help!
