The new Hufford Law Firm PLLC is seeking law students to provide assistance to individuals seeking to appeal health insurance denials. There is a substantial need for this effort. The Wall Street Journal reported in February 2025 that there are some 850 million denied claims every year, but less than 1% of the appeal, even though a material portion of those who appeal can win. Most people don’t know how to fight back or are discouraged going up against huge insurers.
Working with the National Appeals Team of People’s Action (https://peoplesaction.org/) to identify individuals needing help, Brian Hufford seeks up to four students. After working with students on understanding the appeal process and learning how to draft internal and external appeals, Mr. Hufford would work with connecting students with patient in need of assistance, while providing direct supervision of those efforts.
Starting date: Flexible, but early in the semester.
Ending date: Flexible, can adjust to the student’s schedule.
Location: Remote.
Background preferred: An interest in helping people fight back against the abuses of the health insurance industry.
Project: Meet virtually with patients who have been subject to health insurance denials; review/analyze the backup documentation; communicate with doctors, as needed; draft internal and external appeals of the denials, applying regulatory requirements established under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA), the federal statute that governs private employer benefit plans, and the Affordable Care Act (“ACT”), which applies the ERISA regulatory requirements to most non-ERISA plans.
Supervision: Under the oversight and direction of D. Brian Hufford, Esq., of The Hufford Law Firm PLLC.
Hours: Flexible, but perhaps 4 to 5 hours a week.
Eligible for HLS pro bono credit.
Contact Information: D. Brian Hufford, Esq., The Hufford Law Firm PLLC, dbhufford@huffordlawfirm.org
Interested students should contact Mr. Hufford by email with a resume and availability with a cc: to Lee Mestre lmestre@law.harvard.edu in the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs.