Good morning. Neal Shah is no stranger to the impacts of health insurance claim denials. He first dealt with them while managing his grandfather’s end-of-life care. Then again while his wife went through cancer treatment.
That’s why he co-founded North Carolina-based Counterforce Health, a free artificial intelligence system that helps patients fight insurance claim denials. Shah sees the technology as a way to democratize the same types of AI that insurance companies use to deny claims.
Despite high denial rates from private health insurance companies, research has shown that most people with denied claims don’t know they can appeal, writes Morgan Casey.
“The only change is going to happen from grassroots,” Shah said. “People have got to fight for themselves, and people have to develop tools to better equip people to fight.” More in our lead story.
Welcome to CityView Today. In today’s newsletter: Fayetteville Public Works Commission customers who have reduced their electric bills by doing laundry on the weekends and holidays will need to change their habits to continue saving money. As of April 1, PWC implemented new days and new hours for its time-of-use rates (those periods when the PWC charges higher prices for electricity). N.C. Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that another major road project is being planned for Raeford Road; work is expected to begin later this spring. Plus, after serving as CityView’s interim editor-in-chief for the past six months, I’m excited to take on the job in a permanent capacity. Check out a note from me below about some of the work we’ve been doing at CityView.
Thanks for reading,
Maydha Devarajan
Editor-in-Chief
How a N.C.-based company uses AI to help appeal health insurance claim denials
Counterforce Health developed two AI systems to help people appeal health insurance claim denials. The AI can write an appeal letter and call an insurer on a person’s behalf.
More from CityView
PWC expands higher time-of-use electricity pricing to weekends and holidays
For three hours per day, electricity costs 53.4% more than during the rest of the day.
Raeford Road to get safety upgrade with raised median
The N.C. Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that another major road project is being planned for Raeford Road.
A note from CityView’s Editor-in-Chief
Every day for the past year and a half, I’ve had the privilege of helping share and tell Fayetteville’s unique stories.
Events
YOGA IN THE GARDEN
- Where: Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N. Eastern Blvd., Fayetteville
- When: 6-7 p.m. today
- What: Practice this calm Eastern exercise taught by instructor, Ashley Clayton. All levels welcome!
FAMILY ART NIGHT: EARTH FLAGS
- Where: Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N. Eastern Blvd., Fayetteville
- When: 6-7:30 p.m. today
- What: Use paints made with all-natural earth-based pigments to decorate a banner perfect for not just Earth Day, but all year long.
ERIC HAWKS AT YOUR PIE PIZZA
- Where: Your Pie Pizza, 5130 Fayetteville Road, Lumberton
- When: 7 p.m. today
- What: Erik Hawks is entertaining at Your Pie Pizza tonight! Join Erik and enjoy some good food, brews/beverages and gelato for dessert.
Obituaries
Adassa O. Kirk
Adassa O. Kirk, 84, of Fayetteville, passed away on Monday, March 30.
Sylvester Owen Smith III
Sylvester Owen Smith III passed away on Thursday, March 27. A memorial service will be held at Snyder Baptist Church on Thursday, April 3.
Kathryn Chason McLamb
Kathryn Chason McLamb passed away on Thursday, March 27.
Until tomorrow!
🚰 A group of Fayetteville organizations are planning an emergency “Save Our Water” rally this Saturday to protest the Public Works Commission infrastructure funds frozen under the Trump administration and other recent developments around PFAS contamination of the Cape Fear River, according to a press release. The rally begins at 11 a.m. at the PWC office on Old Wilmington Road.
~ Maydha
