Communication Work When Care is at Stake

One Family’s Journey with a Health Insurance Denial

Dados Bibliográficos

ID21616512
AutoresJennifer J Bute (0000-0001-7203-5585, Indiana University Indianapolis), Jack M Bute (Fishers High School)
Ano2026
Volume41
Fascículo6
Páginas1085-1093
Data de publicação2026-05-12
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoHealth Communication (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1041-0236 • E-ISSN: 1532-7027
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10410236.2025.2546524
PMID40851432
OpenAlexW4413536445
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas20

Denials of health insurance claims in the U.S. have been increasing rapidly in recent years, taking a toll on patients, families, and the health care system. Yet health communication scholars know little about the storied experiences of those affected by these denials. In this essay, I reflect on my own family's efforts to secure insurance coverage for an orthopedic surgery for my son after our insurer repeatedly refused coverage. In doing so, I draw attention to the ways that coping with a health insurance denial involves a distinct type of communication labor and contributes to advancing research using the Integrative Theory of Communication Work. I contend that health communication scholars are uniquely positioned to contribute to our understanding of health insurance denials and to suggest improvements to this complex bureaucratic process

Actuarial science · Business · Denial · Health care · Health insurance · Political science · Psychoanalysis · Public relations · Sociology · Engineering · Ethics in medical practice · Law · Patient Dignity and Privacy · Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare · Psychology · Social Psychology