AARP Michigan is singing the praises of the state's system for health insurance appeals. They say that decisions have helped dozens of patients and that more citizens should be aware of the program.

46 percent of the decisions were in favor of the patient

Michigan residents can appeal to the state if they feel their health insurance companies wrongly denied their claims. Appeals through the state can be made only after the company's appeal process has been exhausted.

After the final denial, patients have 60 days to contact the state. If the state decides to review the claim, an independent panel of health practitioners reviews the appeal and determines if the insurer must cover the claim.

Of the cases chosen for review, 46 percent of the decisions were in favor of the patient. Health insurers then had to reimburse the patients for the claims. The state favored the insurer in the other 54 percent of the reviewed cases.

The percentages were based on the 309 cases that were reviewed in the first 16 months of the program, which began in October 2000.

Health insurers are mandated to inform patients about the appeals process. At every level of denial in the claims process, the insurer is responsible to inform the patient that they can take their complaint to the state once they exhasut the insurer's process.

While the AARP praised the state's system for its management and speed, it also said that the low number of appeals indicate that not enough people are aware of the program. The AARP says that there should be more publicity to inform the public of the opportunity.