Health insurer / Medicaid / Marketplace letter explained in English
Health insurance. Your health insurance company, or a public program like Medicaid or a Marketplace plan from HealthCare.gov or your state.
Letters you may get
- Explanation of Benefits (EOB) — what your insurer paid; it is not a bill
- Renewal notice — Medicaid or Marketplace coverage must be renewed by a set date
- Denial of coverage — they won’t pay for a treatment; you can appeal
- Premium bill — your monthly payment
What to do
- An EOB is not a bill. Wait for the bill from the doctor or hospital, and compare the two.
- Answer Medicaid renewal letters by the date given, or your coverage can end.
- Find the deadline. Look for “respond by”, “pay by”, “no later than”, “within”, “deadline”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“appeal”, “request for reconsideration”, “dispute”, “protest”, “hearing request”). See the template.
Words you may see
- notice
- An official letter. The date printed on it often starts the deadline.
- appeal
- A formal request to change a decision. It must reach them by the deadline.
- EOB
- Explanation of Benefits. A statement from your health insurer about what it paid. It is not a bill.
- premium
- Your regular payment for insurance, usually every month.
- Medicaid
- Free or low-cost health coverage from your state for people with low income.
Questions
What is the Health insurer / Medicaid / Marketplace?
Health insurance. Your health insurance company, or a public program like Medicaid or a Marketplace plan from HealthCare.gov or your state.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Health insurer / Medicaid / Marketplace?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “respond by”, “pay by”, “no later than”, “within”, “deadline” — they mark the deadline. In the US, many deadlines count from the date printed on the notice, not from the day it arrives. Some offices add a few days for mail (Social Security assumes 5 days), and court deadlines usually start on the day you were served. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“appeal”, “request for reconsideration”, “dispute”, “protest”, “hearing request”).
Can I read a Health insurer / Medicaid / Marketplace letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in English. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in the United States
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · State Department of Revenue or Taxation · Social Security Administration (SSA) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) · County or State Court · Debt collection agency · Landlord / property management · Utility company