If your appeal of a benefits claim is denied, your final appeal for coverage will be heard by a review panel that is independent of both the company and the claims administrators. The independent review panel will hear appeals for the following plans:

The independent review panel hears only appeals that involve medical judgment, a rescission of coverage or determinations involving whether a plan or health insurance issuer is complying with surprise billing and cost-sharing protections; the panel does not hear appeals about eligibility to participate in a plan or legal interpretation of a plan that does not involve medical judgment.

You are not required to file an appeal with the independent review panel before filing a court action. This level of appeal is voluntary.