health
Fighting for health care claim approvals
April 12, 2026 / 9:41 AM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Mathew Evins suffered from chronic back pain for eight years and was denied surgery coverage by his insurance company multiple times.
- Evins's condition worsened over seven months of denied appeals, with doctors warning of permanent damage.
- The article highlights that 27 million Americans lack health insurance and that 73% of Americans view healthcare delays and denials as a major problem.
- Sheer Health was co-founded by Jeff Witten and Ben Howard to handle insurance claims and fight denials on behalf of patients.
- AHIP, a trade organization for health insurance companies, stated that health plans, providers, and drugmakers share responsibility for affordable and accessible care.
- Mathew Evins's surgery was eventually approved after Sheer Health intervened, and he is now recovering well.
- Katherine Hempstead suggests that services like Sheer Health, while helpful, address a symptom of a failing healthcare system rather than a complete solution.