Need help with denied appeal with BCBS – NYC

Hi all,

Looking for some guidance.

I was diagnosed with frozen shoulder last Jan 2022 and my GP sent me to an orthopedic surgeon. That Dr scheduled me for an MRI and an ultrasound shoulder injection. Everything took place at an in-network hospital here in NYC.

6 months later I received a EOB from BCBS denying coverage of the procedures as ‘not medically necessary’ with the reasoning being that the injection did not need to be performed in a hospital or hospital clinic.

I contacted the billing dept of the hospital and they said that BCBS had actually previously approved the procedure, paid, and now months later changed there decision and were trying to get there money back. They told me they would file an appeal on my behalf since they wanted there money too. That was back in May 2022.

Last Friday I got a letter from BCBS stating they are upholding decision to deny coverage. I contacted my hospital and the person I spoke with said they had not received their letter yet and so they had no information for me.

Not sure what to do. I know the letter said I can file an external appeal? Can the in-network hospital bill me the balance? Do I just sit tight and wait to see if the hospital bills me?

This all seems crazy to me that I can go to all in network doctors, get a procedure paid, and then months later have my insurance try to get their money back?

Any help would be appreciated.