What should an insured do if claims forms are not sent by the insurer within the specified time frame?

The most appropriate action for an insured when claims forms are not sent by the insurer within the specified time frame is to submit the claim in any form. This is because many insurance policies state that while the insurer is required to provide claim forms, the insured has the option to submit a claim even if the forms have not been received. Submitting the claim in any reasonable format ensures that the insured's request for benefits is processed without undue delay, even if the standard forms are not available.

This provision helps protect the interests of the insured, allowing them to proceed with the claims process and potentially avoid issues that could arise from waiting for the formal claim forms to arrive. Often, insurers are required to recognize claims submitted in any form, as long as the necessary information is provided to evaluate the claim properly.

The other options involve actions that may not directly help in processing the claim. Filing a complaint or contacting a state insurance regulator could be necessary steps later on, but they do not address the immediate need to process the claim. Waiting for forms to arrive does not facilitate timely benefit claims, which is crucial for the insured in managing health-related expenses.