External review in Arkansas: deadline, cost and how to ask
Arkansas runs its own independent review of denials: External Review. You generally have 4 months to ask for it.
External review means a doctor or reviewer outside your plan decides again. Internal appeal means your plan looks at its own decision again.
Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.
Appeal deadlines are strict. If you are near a deadline or your care is urgent, call free help today.
Step 2: Outside review in Arkansas
- Program
External Review
- Who runs it
- Arkansas Insurance Department, External Review Section (Consumer Services): Insured health plans and HMOs (health carriers) regulated by the AID
- Deadline to ask
4 months
You can file a request for external review with the Insurance Commissioner within 4 months after you receive the denial notice.
- The deadline runs from
The date you receive the notice of the adverse determination or final adverse determination
- Do I have to appeal to my plan first?
You must finish the carrier's internal appeal first, unless the carrier agrees to waive it, the carrier did not decide your appeal in time (30 days pre-service, 60 days post-service), or you ask for an expedited external review at the same time as an expedited internal appeal. For a denial on a retrospective review (care already given), you must finish the internal appeal.
- When you can go without a plan answer
30 days after you file your internal appeal
- Cost
The health carrier pays the cost of the independent review organization.
- What can be reviewed
Denials based on medical necessity, appropriateness, health care setting, level of care or effectiveness, and denials of experimental or investigational treatment. Medicare, Medicaid, federal employee plans, and limited-benefit policies (dental, vision, disability income, long-term care, short-term and others) are not covered. Most self-funded employer plans are not eligible.
- Is the decision final?
The decision is binding on the carrier and on you, except for other remedies you have under federal or state law. You cannot ask again for external review of the same denial.
- How to ask
Fill out, sign and date the AID External Review Request Form (AID-CS-ER), which includes a release of medical records, and attach a copy of the denial. For an expedited review, also send the Physician Certification form signed by your treating provider. Send it to the Arkansas Insurance Department External Review section by email to insurance.externalreview@arkansas.gov, by fax to 501-371-2734, or by mail to Arkansas Insurance Department, Consumer Services Division, 1 Commerce Way, Suite 102, Little Rock, AR 72202. You can name an authorized representative, such as your provider, on the form.
Law: AID Rule 76 (23 CAR pt. 117), Arkansas External Review Rule, Sections 4-11, 16
- Forms and online request
- Phone
Write my appeal: free letters
Sources
The official sources for Arkansas are listed on the Arkansas page.