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

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for a clinic visit provided on November 09, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for a clinic visit. You say that you are requesting reconsideration of the denied 
claim. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says that unauthorized, out-of-network care is not covered. 
 
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 pay for care from out-of-network providers only in cases involving emergencies, 
out of area urgent care and pre-approved care.  
The provider of the item(s)/service(s) at issue in this appeal is not a network provider with the Plan. The Plan 
did not pre-approve the item(s)/service(s) at issue. We found no exception that would require the Plan to pay 
for the item(s)/service(s). Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for a clinic visit provided on 
November 09, 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 this drug is medically necessary. The Plan denied your 
request. The Plan says the step therapy requirements have 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 step 
therapy requirements have not been met. Our physician reviewer found that the record indicates that you have 
age related osteoporosis without an osteoporotic fracture and are receiving aromatase inhibitor for breast 
cancer. The requested medication is a new start. The provided records do not indicate that you have tried and 
failed the Plan's preferred step one alternative, intravenous bisphosphonate therapy. The record also does not 
indicate that you have a contraindication to or would have an adverse effect from intravenous bisphosphonate 
therapy. 
 
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: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for debridement of the skin provided on March 13, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for debridement of the skin. You say that these services were medically necessary. 
The Plan denied your request. The Plan says that unauthorized, out-of-network care is not covered. 
 
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 pay for care from out-of-network providers only in cases involving emergencies, 
out of area urgent care and pre-approved care. 
 
The provider of the item(s)/service(s) at issue in this appeal is not a network provider with the Plan. The Plan did not pre-approve the item(s)/service(s) at issue. We found no exception that would require the Plan to pay 
for the item(s)/service(s). Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for debridement of the skin 
provided on March 13, 2023.
Appeal type: Lab
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to waive the copayment for lab testing provided on March 27, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to waive the copayment for lab testing. You say that you say that you were never charged 
before. 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 $5 
copayment for outpatient diagnostic tests and therapeutic services and supplies. 
 
You have been asked to pay a $5 copayment for lab testing. This item/service falls within the outpatient 
diagnostic tests and therapeutic services and supplies 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 lab testing provided on March 27, 2023.
Appeal type: Inpatient Hospital
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to waive the copayment for inpatient hospital care provided on March 
14, 2023, to March 16, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to waive the copayment for inpatient hospital care. 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 $350 
copayment per day for days 1-5 for inpatient hospital care.  
 
You have been asked to pay a $350 copayment per day for days 1-5 for inpatient hospital care. The total 
amount you are being asked to pay $700 ($350 x 2 days = $700). This item/service falls within the inpatient 
hospital care 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 inpatient hospital care 
provided on March 14, 2023, to March 16, 2023.
Appeal type: Lab
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for lab testing provided on February 07, 2023, by an out-of-
network (OON) provider.  
 
 You asked the Plan to pay for lab testing. You say that you are requesting reconsideration. The Plan denied 
your request. The Plan says the enrollee must receive their care from a network provider (for more information 
about this, see Section 2 of Chapter 3). In most cases, care the enrollee receives from an out-of-network 
provider (a provider who is not part of the plans network) will not be covered. 
 
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 pay for care from out-of-network providers only in cases involving emergencies, 
out of area urgent care and pre-approved care. 
 
The requested provider in this case is not a network provider with the Plan. The Plan had network providers 
available who could have provided the items/services at issue in this appeal. The Plan did not pre-approve the 
item/service at issue. We found no exception that would require the Plan to pay for these items/services. 
Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for lab testing provided on February 07, 2023, by an 
out-of-network (OON) provider.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for a home visit provided on January 17, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for a home visit. You say that it is the responsibility of the facility to obtain prior 
authorization. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says that unauthorized, out-of-network care is not 
covered. 
 
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 pay for care from out-of-network providers only in cases involving emergencies, 
out of area urgent care and pre-approved care.  
The provider of the item(s)/service(s) at issue in this appeal is not a network provider with the Plan. The Plan 
did not pre-approve the item(s)/service(s) at issue. We found no exception that would require the Plan to pay 
for the item(s)/service(s). Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for a home visit provided on 
January 17, 2023.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to reduce the copayment for an office visit provided on March 03, 
2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to reduce the copayment for an office visit. You say that you think that the copayment 
should be lower. 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 $30 
copayment for Medicare-covered urgent care facility visits. 
 
You have been asked to pay a $30 copayment for an office visit. This item/service falls within the Medicare-
covered urgent care facility visits 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 reduce the copayment for 
an office visit provided on March 03, 2023.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve an office visit to be provided by an OON provider.  
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve an office visit. You say that this service is medically necessary. The Plan 
denied your request. The Plan says there are in-network providers available to provide this service. 
 
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 record shows you are 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 an office visit 
to be provided by an OON provider.
Appeal type: Lab
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for travel allowance one way in connection with medically 
necessary laboratory specimen collection drawn from home bound provided on December 09, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for travel allowance one way in connection with medically necessary laboratory 
specimen collection drawn from home bound. You say that this service is supported in the records. The Plan 
denied your request. The Plan says that unauthorized, out-of-network care is not covered. 
 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 pay for care from out-of-network providers only in cases involving emergencies, 
out of area urgent care and pre-approved care. 
 
The provider of the item(s)/service(s) at issue in this appeal is not a network provider with the Plan. The Plan 
did not pre-approve the item(s)/service(s) at issue. We found no exception that would require the Plan to pay 
for the item(s)/service(s). Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for travel allowance one 
way in connection with medically necessary laboratory specimen collection drawn from home bound provided 
on December 09, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for a nursing facility visit provided on March 10, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for a nursing facility visit. You say that you depend on the facility staff to verify 
eligibility and to obtain authorization. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says that unauthorized, out-of-
network care is not covered. 
 
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 pay for care from out-of-network providers only in cases involving emergencies, 
out of area urgent care and pre-approved care.  
The provider of the item(s)/service(s) at issue in this appeal is not a network provider with the Plan. The Plan 
did not pre-approve the item(s)/service(s) at issue. We found no exception that would require the Plan to pay 
for the item(s)/service(s). Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for a nursing facility visit 
provided on March 10, 2023.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for wound care provided on March 16, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for wound care. You say that you believe the services are medically necessary. The 
Plan denied your request. The Plan says that unauthorized, out-of-network care is not covered. 
 
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 pay for care from out-of-network providers only in cases involving emergencies, 
out of area urgent care and pre-approved care. 
 
The provider of the item(s)/service(s) at issue in this appeal is not a network provider with the Plan. The Plan did not pre-approve the item(s)/service(s) at issue. We found no exception that would require the Plan to pay 
for the item(s)/service(s). Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for wound care provided on 
March 16, 2023.
Appeal type: Transportation
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to waive the copayment for ambulance on December 26, 2022.  
 
You asked the Plan to waive the copayment for ambulance. You say that you submitted the claim over 45 days 
ago and have not received a response. 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 $290 
copayment per date of service regardless of the number of trips for non-emergency ambulance services. Non-
emergency transportation by ambulance is appropriate if it is documented that the member's condition is such 
that other means of transportation could endanger the person's health and that transportation by ambulance is 
medically required. The provider billed in the amount of $630 and the allowed amount is $234.01 for the 
service. The provider also billed in the amount of $46 and the allowed amount is $24.30 for the service. 
$234.01 + $24.30 = $258.31. This is less than the copayment amount. Therefore, results in the total cost 
sharing amount of $258.31. 
 
You have been asked to pay a $258.31 copayment, which is less than the copayment for ambulance. This 
item/service falls within the ambulance services 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 ambulance on December 26, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for principal care management services provided on March 17, 
2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for principal care management services. You say that the enrollee was in a nursing 
home at the time that the services were rendered. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says that 
unauthorized, out-of-network care is not covered. 
 
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 pay for care from out-of-network providers only in cases involving emergencies, 
out of area urgent care and pre-approved care.  
The provider of the item(s)/service(s) at issue in this appeal is not a network provider with the Plan. The Plan 
did not pre-approve the item(s)/service(s) at issue. We found no exception that would require the Plan to pay 
for the item(s)/service(s). Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for principal care 
management services provided on March 17, 2023.
Appeal type: Imaging
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan provided on 
March 10, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. You say that this was medically 
necessary and should be covered. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says that unauthorized, out-of-
network care is not covered. 
 
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 pay for care from out-of-network providers only in cases involving emergencies, 
out of area urgent care and pre-approved care.  
The provider of the item(s)/service(s) at issue in this appeal is not a network provider with the Plan. The Plan 
did not pre-approve the item(s)/service(s) at issue. We found no exception that would require the Plan to pay 
for the item(s)/service(s). Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for an magnetic resonance 
imaging (MRI) scan provided on March 10, 2023.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for established patient visit provided on February 10, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for established patient visit. You say that it is the responsibility of the facility to 
obtain prior authorization. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says that unauthorized, out-of-network care 
is not covered. 
 
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 pay for care from out-of-network providers only in cases involving emergencies, 
out of area urgent care and pre-approved care.  
The provider of the item(s)/service(s) at issue in this appeal is not a network provider with the Plan. The Plan 
did not pre-approve the item(s)/service(s) at issue. We found no exception that would require the Plan to pay 
for the item(s)/service(s). Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for established patient visit 
provided on February 10, 2023.
Appeal type: DME/ Orthotics
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for walker provided on January 19, 2023, by an out-of-network 
(OON) provider.  
 
 You asked the Plan to pay for walker. You say that you are requesting reconsideration. The Plan denied your 
request. The Plan says the enrollee must receive their care from a network provider (for more information 
about this, see Section 2 of Chapter 3). In most cases, care the enrollee receives from an out-of-network 
provider (a provider who is not part of the plans network) will not be covered. 
 
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 pay for care from out-of-network providers only in cases involving emergencies, 
out of area urgent care and pre-approved care. 
 
The requested provider in this case is not a network provider with the Plan. The Plan had network providers 
available who could have provided the items/services at issue in this appeal. The Plan did not pre-approve the 
item/service at issue. We found no exception that would require the Plan to pay for these items/services. 
Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for walker provided on January 19, 2023, by an out-
of-network (OON) provider.
Appeal type: DME/ Orthotics
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to waive the coinsurance for home infusion therapy provided on 
January 05, 2023, to February 01, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to waive the coinsurance for home infusion therapy. You say that you disagree with the 
coinsurance. 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 20% 
coinsurance for home infusion therapy. 
 
You have been asked to pay 20% coinsurance for home infusion therapy. This item/service falls within the 
home infusion therapy 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. The total allowed amount for the home infusion therapy is $7,530.20. You are being asked 
to pay $1,506.04 ($7,530.20 x 20% = $1,506.04). Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to waive 
the coinsurance for home infusion therapy provided on January 05, 2023, to February 01, 2023.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve the office visits to be provided by an OON provider.  
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the office visits. You say that the services are medically necessary. The Plan 
denied your request. The Plan says there are in-network providers available to provide these services. 
 
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 
the office visits to be provided by an OON provider.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve a radiofrequency ablation and an office visit to be 
provided by an OON provider.  
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve a radiofrequency ablation and an office visit. You say that you would like to 
see the same provider. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says this service is not approved. 
 
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 
a radiofrequency ablation and an office visit to be provided by an OON provider.