⚠️ Viewer discretion advised: This episode discusses suicide and mental-health struggles.

In Episode 9 of American Healthcare Denied, we share Kenney Blewett’s story and explore how a medication delay, confusing Medicare rules, and communication breakdowns left a seriously ill patient waiting for treatment. We cannot know what might have changed the outcome, but his story raises important questions about accountability and access to care.

Because sometimes, delayed is denied. ❤️

🔗 Read Kenney’s story: https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/insurance-issue-delayed-copd-prescription-breathing-problems-suicide-texas/

What happens when your insurance says your medication is covered, but you still can’t afford to get it?

In this episode of American Healthcare Denied, Hanna and Bev discuss the story of Payton Herres, a heart transplant recipient whose fight to access her anti-rejection medication brought attention to a frustrating gap in American healthcare: the difference between having coverage and actually being able to access treatment.

We break down what a “ghost approval” is, how insurance restrictions and out-of-pocket costs can leave patients without access to essential medications, and what patients can do when an approval still isn’t enough.

Payton’s story is a reminder that a medication being “covered” on paper doesn’t always mean a patient can get it in real life.

Explore Payton’s story and the reporting behind this episode:

❤️ Payton’s Medical Journey: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41895624/

📰 STAT Report: https://www.statnews.com/2026/05/19/insurance-approval-denial-cost-access-transplant-medication/

🎙️ Payton’s Interview: https://www.ishlt.org/about/news-detail/2026/06/17/a-patient-perspective-on-coverage-challenges-on-jhlt–the-podcast

Have you ever had a medication approved by insurance but still couldn’t afford it or access it? We want to hear your story.

Follow American Healthcare Denied for more real stories, healthcare education, and conversations about navigating a system that doesn’t always work for the people who need it most.

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of healthcare—but what happens when AI, automation, and algorithms enter the world of insurance authorization?

In this episode of American Healthcare Denied, Hanna and Beverly break down what AI and automation can actually do in the prior authorization process, where technology may help reduce paperwork and administrative denials, and where things get more complicated.

What happens when a prediction doesn’t match the actual patient? Could algorithms reinforce problems already present in healthcare data? What happens when an algorithm and a treating clinician disagree? And if technology materially influences an insurance decision, should patients know?

We’ll also talk about documentation, automation bias, human oversight, transparency, appeals, and what patients can actually do when their care is denied.

Because patients aren’t averages. They’re people.

🎙️ American Healthcare Denied

Real conversations about healthcare, insurance, denials, and what happens when getting care isn’t as simple as it should be.

Listen now—and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. https://linktr.ee/ahdenied