Persius/hicric huggingface dataset:
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve proton beam radiation therapy (PBRT). 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the requested services. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says PBRT 
is not the standard of care. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. Medicare rules say that items and services that are not medically 
necessary are not covered.  
 
We asked our physician reviewer to carefully review the case file and apply the relevant Medicare rules to 
determine if the Plan was correct in denying the request to pre-approve the requested services. Our physician 
reviewer found that proton beam radiation therapy (PBRT) is not the standard of care. There is insufficient 
prospective, long-term clinical data available to determine whether or not proton beam radiation therapy for 
prostate cancer is superior, inferior or equivalent to external beam radiation therapy, intensity modulated 
radiation therapy (IMRT), or brachytherapy with regards to safety and efficacy. Recent data shows no 
significant differences in late (years one, two, and three) patient-reported toxicity outcomes between proton 
beam therapy and IMRT. The most recent guidelines state that PBRT offers no clinical advantage over other 
forms of definitive treatment. Therefore, PBRT is not medically reasonable and necessary to treat the enrollee's 
condition in this case. 
 We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of the requested services have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan 
does not have to pre-approve proton beam radiation therapy (PBRT).
Appeal type: Inpatient Hospital
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve acute inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) admission 
and services. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve IRF care. You say that the services are medically necessary and the 
enrollee's needs cannot be met in a lower level setting. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the 
enrollee's needs can be met in a lower level of care setting. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that IRF admission is covered only when it is medically 
reasonable and necessary as described in the Medicare rules section. 
 
We asked our physician reviewer to carefully review the case file and apply the relevant Medicare rules to 
determine if the Plan was correct in denying the request to pre-approve IRF care. Our reviewer says that the 
requested IRF care is not considered medically reasonable and necessary based on Medicare guidelines. Our 
physician reviewer found clinical documentation does show some active medical issues however there are no 
complex functional deficits noted, the complexity of the enrollee's documented nursing, medical and rehabilitation needs would not be expected to require an acute hospital inpatient stay with an interdisciplinary 
approach to rehabilitation care. IRF criteria not met. 
 
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of IRF care have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have 
to pre-approve acute inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) admission and services.
Appeal type: Testing
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for procedure codes 87503 and 87634 billed for date of service 
April 25, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for procedure codes 87503 and 87634. You say that these services are supported as 
billed. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says payment for codes 87503 and 87634 is bundled into 
payment for code 87631. 
 The Plan must follow Medicare rules. Medicare rules say that providers must report services correctly. 
Providers must report services with the appropriate CPT code. In this case, we have confirmed that codes 
87503 and 87634 are both column II codes to column I code 87631. This claim has not been billed with an 
appropriate modifier to bypass the edit. Based on the claim submitted, Medicare billing criteria have not been 
met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for procedure codes 87503 and 87634 billed for 
date of service April 25, 2022.
Appeal type: Drugs
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve Botox. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve Botox. You say that you disagree with the Plan's denial. The Plan denied 
your request. The Plan says the requested drug does not meet step therapy criteria. 
 
Medicare covers Part B medications when they are reasonable and necessary but allows health plans to 
implement step therapy criteria. The Plan's contract indicates that it has implemented such criteria for certain 
Part B medications. 
 
 We asked our physician reviewer to carefully review the case file and apply the relevant Medicare rules to 
determine if the Plan was correct in denying the request to pre-approve Botox. Our reviewer says that the 
documentation does not support that the requested drug meets step therapy criteria. Our physician reviewer 
found the enrollee has a diagnosis of cervical dystonia/spasmodic torticollis. The documentation does not 
support that the enrollee has tried and failed Dysport or Xeomin. The documentation does not support that 
Dysport or Xeomin would likely be less effective and/or likely have adverse effects for the enrollee. Therefore, 
the enrollee does not meet criteria for the requested drug. 
 
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of Botox have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to 
pre-approve Botox.
Appeal type: Outpatient Therapies
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve 12 additional physical therapy visits. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve physical therapy. You say that you need physical therapy services because it 
is important to your health and need it urgently due to your knee replacement surgery. The Plan denied your 
request. The Plan says 12 additional physical therapy visits are not medically necessary. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that Medicare pays for medically necessary outpatient 
therapy. 
 
   
We asked our physician reviewer to carefully review the case file and apply the relevant Medicare rules to 
determine if the Plan was correct in denying the request to pre-approve physical therapy. Our reviewer says 
that skilled services are not necessary to restore or maintain function or to prevent deterioration of the enrollee's 
condition. Our physician reviewer found that you have made significant progress in terms of improving range 
of motion, strength, and her ability to ambulate. You continue to have some deficits and would benefit from 
continued therapy to make additional gains and transition to a home exercise program. 18 sessions of physical 
therapy should be sufficient to accomplish this given your current level of mobility. Therefore the 12 visits of 
additional therapy are not medically necessary. 
 
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of physical therapy have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does 
not have to pre-approve 12 additional physical therapy visits.
Appeal type: Surgery
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve a kyphoplasty procedure. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the requested services. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the 
enrollee does not meet the coverage criteria. 
 
The Plan follows Medicare rules. Medicare rules say that kyphoplasty procedures are only covered under 
certain medical indications.  
 
We asked our physician reviewer to carefully review the case file and apply the relevant Medicare rules to 
determine if the Plan was correct in denying the request to pre-approve the requested services. Our physician 
reviewer found that the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) does not show an acute compression fracture with 
bone edema. The coverage criteria have not been met. Therefore, the request is not considered medically 
reasonable or necessary.  
 
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of the requested services have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan 
does not have to pre-approve a kyphoplasty procedure.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve a VIA Disc procedure. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the requested services. You say that the enrollee has failed conservative 
treatments. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says there is little evidence to suggest this is an appropriate 
procedure for back pain. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. Medicare rules say that items and services that are not medically 
necessary are not covered.  
 
We asked our physician reviewer to carefully review the case file and apply the relevant Medicare rules to 
determine if the Plan was correct in denying the request to pre-approve the requested services. Our physician 
reviewer found that the enrollee has chronic low back pain. The requested procedure is an experimental/ 
investigational procedure. The enrollee is not enrolled in a clinical trial.  Therefore, the request is considered 
not medically reasonable and necessary. 
 
 
 
 We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of the requested services have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan 
does not have to pre-approve a VIA Disc procedure.
Appeal type: Inpatient Hospital
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve acute IRF admission and services. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve IRF care. You say that the enrollee would like reconsideration because the 
services are medically necessary. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says an IRF admission is not 
medically necessary, and the enrollee's needs can be met at a lower level of care. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that IRF admission is covered only when it is medically 
reasonable and necessary as described in the Medicare rules section. 
 
   
We asked our physician reviewer to carefully review the case file and apply the relevant Medicare rules to 
determine if the Plan was correct in denying the request to pre-approve IRF care. Our reviewer says that the 
requested IRF care is not considered medically reasonable and necessary based on Medicare guidelines. Our 
physician reviewer found that the enrollee is medically stable and does not require close supervision for the 
ongoing management of any active or acute exacerbations of chronic medical conditions. While the enrollee 
can benefit from physical and occupational therapy, their needs can be safely provided in an alternate level of 
care such as a skilled nursing facility. 
 
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of IRF care have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have 
to pre-approve acute IRF admission and services.
Appeal type: Inpatient Hospital
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve LTACH services. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the LTACH services. You say that the enrollee would like reconsideration 
because the services are medically necessary. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says an LTACH 
admission is not medically necessary, and the enrollee can safely receive the services they need in the current 
hospital setting. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that LTACH services are covered if they are medically 
necessary, reasonable, and appropriate for the diagnosis and condition of the enrollee. 
 
We asked our physician reviewer to carefully review the case file and apply the relevant Medicare rules to 
determine if the Plan was correct in denying the request to pre-approve the LTACH services. Our reviewer says 
that the requested LTACH care is not considered medically reasonable and necessary in this case. Our 
physician reviewer found that the enrollee is more stable and should only require short-term additional acute 
care services that can safely be administered at the current facility. The enrollee does not require services at the 
LTACH that are not already available at the current facility. 
 
   
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of the LTACH services have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan 
does not have to pre-approve LTACH services.
Appeal type: Supplemental Benefit
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve coverage of the full cost for incontinence supplies. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve coverage of the full cost for incontinence supplies. You say that the pads 
should be covered under your medical benefits. You say you did not want to use your Over-the-Counter benefit 
for the pads, because it would not cover the full cost because they are expensive. The Plan denied your request. 
The Plan says this item is not a covered benefit. The Plan says this item would be covered under your OTC 
benefit. 
 
The Plan covers all items that Medicare covers. Medicare rules state that incontinence supplies are not covered 
because they are hygienic items that are non-reusable.  
 
While incontinence supplies may be appropriate in this case, Medicare does not offer coverage of these items. 
The Plan offers an Over-the-Counter benefit with an allowance of $65 per month that can be used for these 
items but does not offer coverage beyond that amount. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to 
pre-approve coverage of the full cost for incontinence supplies.
Appeal type: Inpatient Hospital
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve acute inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) admission 
and services. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve IRF care. You say that the services are necessary to help you receive the 
therapies needed and regain your strength. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the services you need 
can be provided safely in another setting. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that IRF admission is covered only when it is medically 
reasonable and necessary as described in the Medicare rules section. 
 
 
 
 
 We asked our physician reviewer to carefully review the case file and apply the relevant Medicare rules to 
determine if the Plan was correct in denying the request to pre-approve IRF care. Our reviewer says that the 
requested IRF care is not considered medically reasonable and necessary based on Medicare guidelines. Our 
physician reviewer found you do not require intensive or complex rehabilitation. You do not require services 
that would be provided at the level of an acute rehabilitation center, medically necessary criteria are not met. 
 
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of IRF care have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have 
to pre-approve acute inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) admission and services.
Appeal type: Imaging
Decision: Favorable

 
We decided that the Plan has to waive the copayment for a diagnostic procedure/test provided on August 17, 
2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to waive the copayment for diagnostic procedure/test. You say that you shouldnt be 
charged. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says that you are responsibility for the copayment. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that Medicare health plans must make reasonable and 
diligent efforts to gather and forward to the IRE information regarding its decision to deny coverage or 
payment. 
 
The Plan has not made reasonable and diligent efforts to gather and forward to us information regarding their 
decision to deny your request. The Plan did not provide an Evidence of Coverage (EOC). Without a copy of the 
EOC, we are unable to determine if the cost sharing was applied correctly. Therefore, we decided that the Plan 
has to waive the copayment for a diagnostic procedure/test provided on August 17, 2022.  
 
If the Plan does not agree with our decision, they can ask us to open a case again. We only open a case again 
if we believe there was a mistake or if there is new information to review. The Plan has to show us the mistake 
and/or send us the new information. This does not happen often. If we decide to open the case again, we will 
send you a letter.
Appeal type: Inpatient Hospital
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve long term acute care hospital (LTACH) services. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the LTACH services. You say that admission is a medical necessity. The 
Plan denied your request. The Plan says the medical records show the enrollee does not have complex care 
needs that can only be provided in an LTACH setting. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that LTACH services are covered if they are medically 
necessary, reasonable, and appropriate for the diagnosis and condition of the enrollee. 
 
We asked our physician reviewer to carefully review the case file and apply the relevant Medicare rules to 
determine if the Plan was correct in denying the request to pre-approve the LTACH services. Our reviewer says 
that the requested LTACH care is not considered medically reasonable and necessary in this case. Our 
physician reviewer found the enrollee is receiving appropriate care at the present setting. The enrollee does not 
require services at the LTACH that are not available at the acute care setting where they are currently receiving 
care. 
 
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of the LTACH services have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan 
does not have to pre-approve long term acute care hospital (LTACH) services.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to waive the copayment for x-ray services provided on April 8, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to waive the copayment for x-ray services. You say that you disagree with the copayment. 
The Plan denied your request. The Plan says this cost sharing was charged correctly. 
 
The rules say a plan must disclose to its enrollees in clear, accurate terms all cost sharing information (such as 
copayments, deductibles and coinsurance). Your contract with the Plan clearly says that you must pay a $15 
copayment for outpatient diagnostic tests/Medicare-covered standard X-ray service.  
 
You have been asked to pay a $15 copayment for x-ray services. This item/service falls within the outpatient 
diagnostic tests/Medicare-covered standard X-ray service benefit category. This means that you have been 
asked to pay the correct amount based on your contract with the Plan. This cost sharing is a contractual 
obligation you agreed to pay when you enrolled in the Plan. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have 
to waive the copayment for x-ray services provided on April 8, 2022.
Appeal type: Inpatient Hospital
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve acute IRF admission and services. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve IRF care. You say that an IRF is better equipped for the management of the 
pain and rehabilitation of your leg. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says an IRF admission is not 
medically necessary. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that IRF admission is covered only when it is medically 
reasonable and necessary as described in the Medicare rules section. 
 
   
We asked our physician reviewer to carefully review the case file and apply the relevant Medicare rules to 
determine if the Plan was correct in denying the request to pre-approve IRF care. Our reviewer says that the 
requested IRF care is not considered medically reasonable and necessary based on Medicare guidelines. Our 
physician reviewer found that your medical problems are stable and there are no complex nursing or 
rehabilitation needs. While the medical record supports a need for physical or occupational therapy, there is no 
documented need for intensive rehabilitation services. Medically necessary care can be provided in a different 
level of care. 
 
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of IRF care have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have 
to pre-approve acute IRF admission and services.
Appeal type: Inpatient Hospital
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve LTACH services. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the LTACH services. You say that LTACH services are medically 
necessary. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says that the admission to a LTACH is not medically 
necessary. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that LTACH services are covered if they are medically 
necessary, reasonable, and appropriate for the diagnosis and condition of the enrollee. 
 
We asked our physician reviewer to carefully review the case file and apply the relevant Medicare rules to 
determine if the Plan was correct in denying the request to pre-approve the LTACH services. Our reviewer says 
that the requested LTACH care is not considered medically reasonable and necessary in this case. Our 
physician reviewer found that the enrollee appears to be improving, more stable, and should only require short-
term additional acute care services that can safely be provided at the current facility until more appropriate for a 
lower level of care. The enrollee does not require services at the LTACH that are not already available at the 
current facility. The transfer to a LTACH is not medically necessary as it would not be clinically advantageous 
at this time. Completion of treatment at the current facility is recommended.  
 
 We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of the LTACH services have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan 
does not have to pre-approve LTACH services.