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

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for procedure code 99223 billed for date of service November 
19, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for procedure code 99223. You say that you disagree with the Plan's denial. The 
Plan denied your request. The Plan says the services billed are not separately payable. 
 
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, the CPT Code Manual definition of code 99223 is initial hospital care, per day, for the evaluation 
and management of a patient, which requires these 3 key components: A comprehensive history; A 
comprehensive examination; and Medical decision making of high complexity. Counseling and/or coordination 
of care with other physicians, other qualified health care professionals, or agencies are provided consistent with 
the nature of the problem(s) and the patient's and/or family's needs. Usually, the problem(s) requiring admission are of high severity. Typically, 70 minutes are spent at the bedside and on the patient's hospital floor 
or unit. 
 
We find that CPT code 99223 is not supported in the medical record. Specifically, this service was billed on the 
same date of service as surgery procedure 27197. This means code 99223 is included in the global surgery 
period of code 27197 and is not separately payable as billed. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of procedure code 99223 have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan 
does not have to pay for procedure code 99223 billed for date of service November 19, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve an ophthalmology consultation to be provided by an 
out-of-network (OON) provider. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the consultation. You say that this provider is able to see you sooner than 
the in-network providers. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the services are available in-network. 
 
Medicare rules say that plans can require enrollees to get care from network providers. The contract with the 
Plan says that the Plan has to pre-approve care from out-of-network providers only in cases involving 
emergencies, out of area urgent care and care that cannot be provided by network providers. 
 
The requested provider in this case is not a network provider with the Plan. The Plan has network providers 
available who can provide the services at issue in this appeal. We found no exception that would require the Plan to pre-approve these services. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve an 
ophthalmology consultation to be provided by an out-of-network (OON) provider.
Appeal type: Transportation
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve additional routine transportation. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve additional routine transportation. You say that the additional transportation 
is necessary. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the benefit has been exhausted. Therefore, coverage 
criteria have not been met. 
 Medicare does not cover transport in a vehicle that is not an ambulance. However, the Plan offers a 
transportation benefit that exceeds Medicare coverage. For that reason, the Plans coverage rules apply in this 
case. The Plan covers a maximum of 60 one-way trips per year.  
 
We looked at your request, the records in the case file, and the rules. Based on this information, we decided 
that you have exhausted the Plan maximum benefit for coverage of routine transportation. Therefore, we 
decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve additional routine transportation.
Appeal type: DME/ Orthotics
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve a combination sit to stand frame/table system (E0637). 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve a combination sit to stand frame/table system. You say that without this 
item you cannot stand on your own and medical problems will worsen. The Plan denied your request. The Plan 
says this item is not primarily medical in nature. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that for equipment to be covered, it must primarily serve a 
medical purpose.   
 
The item at issue in this appeal does not serve a purpose that is primarily medical in nature. This item is 
available to the general public and would be helpful even to those who are not sick or injured. Therefore, we 
decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve a combination sit to stand frame/table system (E0637).
Appeal type: Surgery
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for injection procedure; radioactive tracer for identification of 
sentinel node rendered on August 8, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for the services. You say that this should be paid for. The Plan denied your request. 
The Plan says the code cannot be verified. 
 
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, the CPT Code Manual definition of code 38792 is "Injection procedure; radioactive tracer for 
identification of sentinel node." 
 
We asked our coder to carefully review the case file and apply the relevant Medicare rules to determine if the 
Plan was correct in denying the request to pay for the services. Our reviewer says that the services at issue in 
this case were not supported by the medical records. Our reviewer found that in this case, the medical records 
do not validate that CPT 38792 was performed an a distinct/separate procedure; therefore, the use of the 59 
modifier is not appropriate. 
 
We looked at this coder's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of the services have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not 
have to pay for injection procedure; radioactive tracer for identification of sentinel node rendered on August 8, 
2022.
Appeal type: Supplemental Benefit
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for a comprehensive oral evaluation (D0150) and prophylaxis 
(D1110) provided on October 3, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for the dental services. You say that you disagree with the denial of dental services. 
The Plan denied your request. The Plan says your benefit for the requested items or services has already been 
exhausted. 
 
Medicare generally does not cover dental services. However, the Plan offers a dental benefit that exceeds 
Medicare coverage. For that reason, the Plans coverage rules apply in this case. 
 
Though the Plan offers a dental benefit in excess of Medicare coverage, certain limitations apply. The record 
shows your benefit for a routine dental examination was exhausted on date of service March 22, 2022. The record also shows your benefit for dental cleanings was exhausted on date of service March 22, 2022, and June 
28, 2022. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for a comprehensive oral evaluation 
(D0150) and prophylaxis (D1110) provided on October 3, 2022.
Appeal type: Step-Therapy
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve Prolia. 
 You asked the Plan to pre-approve Prolia. You say that the services are necessary. The Plan denied your 
request. The Plan says based on the documentation provided, coverage criteria has not been met. 
 
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 Prolia. Our reviewer says that the 
services are not medically necessary. Our physician reviewer found the provided records do not indicate that 
the enrollee has tried and failed the plan's preferred step one alternative. The record does not indicate that the 
enrollee has a contraindication to or would have an adverse effect from the plan's preferred step one alternative. 
The elements of the coverage criteria are not satisfied. The requested service cannot be 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 Prolia have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to 
pre-approve Prolia.
Appeal type: DME/ Orthotics
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the parenteral nutrition solution billed with code B4189 for 
June 8, 2022, to June 14, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for these services. You say that you disagree with the denial. The Plan denied your 
request. The Plan says there is no valid proof of delivery. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that all DMEPOS 
suppliers are required to maintain proof of delivery. 
 
We looked at the file and Medicare rules. There is no valid proof of delivery in the documentation. Based on 
this information, we decided that Medicare rules for coverage of these services have not been met. Therefore, 
we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the parenteral nutrition solution billed with code B4189 for 
June 8, 2022, to June 14, 2022.
Appeal type: DME/ Orthotics
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device 
leads provided on October 24, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for TENS leads. You say that you disagree with the Plan's denial. The Plan denied 
your request. The Plan says the proof of delivery was not valid. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules state that DMEPOS is covered only when there are both a 
physician order and proof of delivery.  
 The record does not contain a valid proof of delivery for the supplies provided in this case. The proof of 
delivery provided shows a tracking number of which states "currently awaiting package". This means there is 
no proof of delivery that shows the services were rendered. The record shows that the Plan made several 
attempts to obtain the necessary documentation without success. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not 
have to pay for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device leads provided on October 24, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to waive the copayment for the injection services provided on 
September 6, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to waive the copayment for the injection services. You say that you disagree with the 
amount owed. 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 $325 
copayment for outpatient surgery.  
 
 The allowed amount for this service is $56.82. Since this amount is less than the $325 copayment requirement, 
you have been asked to pay the lesser amount. You have been asked to pay a $56.82 copayment for the 
injection services. This item/service falls within the outpatient surgery 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 the injection services provided on September 6, 2022.
Appeal type: DME/ Orthotics
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for procedure codes A6248 and A6219 billed for date of service 
November 10, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for procedure codes A6248 and A6219. You say that you disagree with the denial. 
The Plan denied your request. The Plan says procedure codes A6248 and A6219 are considered 
bundled/excluded from payment. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. Medicare rules say that providers must report services correctly. 
Providers must report services with the appropriate procedure code.  
We find that procedure codes A6248 and A6219 have a status indicator of P on the Physician Fee Schedule. 
This means that procedure codes A6248 and A6219 are not separately payable. Based on this information, we 
decided that Medicare rules for coverage of procedure codes A6248 and A6219 have not been met. Therefore, 
we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for procedure codes A6248 and A6219 billed for date of service 
November 10, 2022.
Appeal type: Lab
Decision: Favorable

 
We decided that the Plan has to pay for Guardant360 TissueNext (81479) provided on November 12, 2021. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for Guardant360 TissueNext. You say that this test was medically necessary and is 
covered by Medicare. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says that the claim for this molecular pathology 
testing did not include the required unique identifier. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that for molecular diagnostic tests, such as the test at issue, 
the MolDX program requires these tests to be reviewed to determine whether Medicare reasonable and 
necessary requirements are met. When such review is complete, the test is assigned a unique identifier and the 
coverage status is listed in the DEXTM Diagnostics Exchange. 
 
We looked at the file and Medicare rules. This test is listed in the DEX database as covered. This determination 
was made and is specific to the test at issue. Review of the claim shows that the required unique identifier was 
reported. Based on this information, we decided that Medicare rules for coverage of Guardant360 TissueNext 
have been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan has to pay for Guardant360 TissueNext (81479) provided 
on November 12, 2021.  
 
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: Outpatient Therapies
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve physical therapy services to be provided by an out-of-
network (OON) provider. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve physical therapy services to be provided by an OON provider. You say that 
the services are necessary. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says there are in-network providers that are 
able to provide these services. Therefore, coverage criteria have not been met. 
 
Medicare rules say that plans can require enrollees to get care from network providers. The contract with the 
Plan says that the Plan has to pre-approve care from out-of-network providers only in cases involving 
emergencies, out of area urgent care and care that cannot be provided by network providers. 
 
The requested provider in this case is not a network provider with the Plan. The Plan has network providers 
available who can provide the items/services at issue in this appeal. We found no exception that would require the Plan to pre-approve these items/services. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve 
physical therapy services to be provided by an out-of-network (OON) provider.
Appeal type: Other
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for procedure code A0425 billed for date of service December 
10, 2022. 
 You asked the Plan to pay for procedure code A0425. You say that you disagree with the Plan's denial. The 
Plan denied your request. The Plan says the number of units billed exceeds the maximum allowed. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. Medicare rules say that claims submitted where the unit of service 
exceeds the MUE value cannot be paid when the MAI value is 2.  
 
In this case, the MUE for CPT code A0425 is 250. The MAI value for this code is 1. You billed 602 units of 
this code, exceeding the MUE. Based on this information, we decided that Medicare rules for coverage of 
procedure code A0425 have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for 
procedure code A0425 billed for date of service December 10, 2022.
Appeal type: SNF
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve SNF care. 
 You asked the Plan to pre-approve SNF care. You say that you are appealing the denial for admission to a SNF. 
The Plan denied your request. The Plan says that the admission to a SNF is not medically necessary. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that Medicare pays for care in a SNF when the four factors 
listed in the Medicare rules section are met. Custodial care is 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 SNF care. Our reviewer says that the 
requested SNF care is not considered medically reasonable and necessary based on Medicare guidelines. Our 
physician reviewer found that you do not require daily skilled nursing or therapy services. You do not meet the 
severity of illness or intensity of service criteria for an inpatient basis in a skilled nursing facility setting. 
 
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of SNF care have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have 
to pre-approve SNF care.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for procedure code 95250 billed for date of service June 24, 
2022. 
 You asked the Plan to pay for procedure code 95250. You say that you disagree with the Plan's denial. The 
Plan denied your request. The Plan says the number of units billed exceeds the maximum allowed. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. Medicare rules say that claims submitted where the unit of service 
exceeds the MUE value cannot be paid when the MAI value is 2.  
 
In this case, the MUE for CPT code 95250 is 1. The MAI value for this code is 2. You billed 2 units of this 
code, exceeding the MUE. Based on this information, we decided that Medicare rules for coverage of 
procedure code 95250 have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for 
procedure code 95250 billed for date of service June 24, 2022.
Appeal type: DME/ Orthotics
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for a pneumatic compression device (E0675) and segmental 
pneumatic appliances (E0673) provided October 6, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for a pneumatic compression device and appliances. You say that the equipment was 
prescribed by the doctor and was issued to the enrollee for use during their surgery. The Plan denied your 
request. The Plan says pneumatic compression device is not covered by Medicare to prevent deep vein 
thrombosis during and/or following surgery. 
 
The Plan follows Medicare rules. The rules state that a PCD that provides intermittent limb compression for the 
purpose of prevention of venous thromboembolism (E0676) is a preventive service. The rules also say that a PCD coded as E0675 to treat peripheral arterial disease is not eligible for reimbursement. 
 
We looked at the file and Medicare rules. Based on this information we decided that Medicare rules for 
coverage of the PCD have not been met. Specifically, this item is not a covered benefit of Medicare or the Plan. 
PCDs are not covered for preventions of venous thromboembolism nor for treatment of peripheral artery 
disease, regardless of how they are billed on the claim. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to 
pay for a pneumatic compression device (E0675) and segmental pneumatic appliances (E0673) provided 
October 6, 2022.
Appeal type: Home Health
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the home health services provided from April 14, 2022, to 
May 13, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for the home health services as billed. You say that you disagree with the denial. The 
Plan denied your request. The Plan says the claim has not been billed with the correct admission date. 
 
The Plan follows Medicare rules. The rules say that for home health services that are continuing from 2021, a 
NOA must be submitted for the first period of care in 2022, using the first date of the period as the admission date. Subsequent claims must report this new date as the admission date in order for the claim to be matched to 
the correct NOA.  
 
We reviewed the file and the Medicare rules. We find that the admission date reported on the claim at issue 
does not match the date for the NOA which is filed for the first date in 2022 as required. Based on this 
information, we find that the Medicare rules for payment of the claim at issue have not been met. Therefore, we 
decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the home health services provided from April 14, 2022, to May 
13, 2022.
Appeal type: SNF
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve SNF care. 
 You asked the Plan to pre-approve SNF care. You say that SNF care is medically necessary. The Plan denied 
your request. The Plan says that the admission to a SNF is not medically necessary. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that Medicare pays for care in a SNF when the four factors 
listed in the Medicare rules section are met. Custodial care is 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 SNF care. Our reviewer says that the 
requested SNF care is not considered medically reasonable and necessary based on Medicare guidelines. Our 
physician reviewer found that there is no documentation that the enrollee requires daily skilled services on an 
inpatient basis in 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 SNF care have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have 
to pre-approve SNF care.