HIPAA requirement for processing insurance claims Texas

My mother visited Texas from south East Asia to spend few weeks with me here in TX. However, she passed way due to a sudden illness. The travel insurance company, which is based in US, is requesting Power of Attorney or Executor of Estate from the deceased person’s husband or her nearest kin in US.

Already hospitals have submitted claims to the insurance company; however they are not discussing the claim status with the family members. Insurance personnel stated that only with the executor of estate they will discuss the claim status. They cited that this is HIPAA requirement & they will not discuss any of the insurance claim related questions with us.

Funeral home expenses was part of the insurance coverage, however when the bill was submitted, they rejected the claim & did not provide the reason for rejection. They cited it is the requirement within HIPAA, which prevents them from providing us the reason for rejection.

Q1: Is this a valid HIPAA requirement, that insurance company will not discuss claim details with the nearest kin, either her daughter or husband.

Q2: Is there any way I, deceased person’s daughter & only nearest kin in US, can obtain executor of estate from a probate court in US (TX). Also, deceased person has no property in US & her country residency is India

Q3: Since this is mainly for health insurance purpose, is there any other legal document which court can issue, such that I use this document to discuss claim status

Eagerly awaiting your response.

Thanks,
Vikas

 

Adjusterjack,
Thank you very much for your reply. I reached out to some attorneys in TX & awaiting their response.

Thanks & best regards,
Vikas