February 5, 2026
The Boston Globe recently published an article featuring Keith Ericson, Professor of Markets, Public Policy, and Law, discussing a new report from the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission, which found that roughly one in five commercial health insurance claims were denied in 2024, primarily for administrative, not medical reasons.
Most denials were due to paperwork issues, coding errors, or insurer-specific billing requirements, while clinical denials accounted for 1% or less. The findings highlight a complex system that imposes unnecessary burdens on providers, insurers, and patients, with denial rates varying significantly across insurers and revealing inconsistencies in claims processes.
Ericson noted that many of these administrative inefficiencies are “easily addressable.”
Overall, the report suggests that streamlining administrative processes could improve efficiency, reduce costs, and allow providers to focus more on patient care rather than paperwork.
