Appeal Deadline Tool
Health Insurance Appeal Deadline Calculator
Answer a couple of quick questions and enter your denial date. Most situations get a real, specific estimate; the rare exceptions that genuinely have no fixed number are labeled honestly instead of guessed at.
If waiting for a standard decision could seriously jeopardize your life, health, recovery, or ability to regain maximum function, don't use this tool — contact your health plan and treating provider immediately about expedited review. Federal rules generally require plans to decide urgent pre-service claims within 72 hours; that's a decision timeframe for the plan, not a filing deadline for you. The estimate below is for standard, nonurgent situations only.
Deadline Context
Why deadlines vary by plan and carrier
Many ERISA-governed group health plans must provide at least 180 days after receipt of an adverse benefit determination — that's the safest default when you don't know your plan type, and it applies whether the plan is fully insured or self-funded. Once that internal appeal is denied, a separate external-review window generally opens. Federally it's commonly around 4 months, but New York, Illinois, California, and Texas each run their own state process with a different regulator and, in California's case, a longer 6-month window, while Florida uses a grievance process instead of external review entirely. Medicare Advantage routes to an automatic outside reviewer, and FEHB, FEP, governmental, and church plans follow their own distinct processes. Rather than guess at those genuine exceptions, this tool says so plainly instead of forcing a number.
See how ERISA, ACA, and Medicare Advantage rules differ →
Read the full method for finding your deadline →
This calculator provides estimates based on verified reference points as of August 1, 2026, and is not legal advice. Your plan documents, denial notice, state rules, plan funding status, and carrier-specific procedures control and may differ from the estimate shown.
Carrier-Specific Detail
Want more detail for your specific carrier?
The deadline itself comes from your plan type above, not your carrier's name, but these guides walk through each carrier's products, administrators, and submission routes.