Persius/hicric huggingface dataset:
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 you are bedridden and are not able to care for 
yourself. You say IRF services are necessary to help with pain as well as for you to regain function of your 
body. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says admission to an IRF 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 your nursing, medical and rehabilitation needs can be provided in a lower level of 
care and does not require an acute hospital inpatient stay with an interdisciplinary approach to rehabilitation 
care. You require treatment by multiple therapies, including physical therapy and occupational therapy, but this 
can be provided in a lower level of care. There is documentation that there is a reasonable expectation that you 
will be able to fully participate in and benefit from the intensive rehabilitation therapy program provided in an 
IRF, but the services required can be provided at a lower 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 inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) admission and services.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for procedure code 99291 billed for date of service March 13, 
2023.  
 
You asked the Plan to pay for procedure code 99291. 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 99291 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 99291 have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for 
procedure code 99291 billed for date of service March 13, 2023.
Appeal type: Home Health
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve 3 home health physical therapy visits (G0151 x3).  

You asked the Plan to pre-approve home health services. You say that the services are necessary. The Plan 
denied your request. The Plan says the services are not medically necessary.  
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that home health care services may be covered if it is 
medically necessary for the enrollee to receive skilled nursing or therapy. A doctor must certify the need for 
home health care services. 
 
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 home health services. Our reviewer 
says that the services are not medically reasonable and necessary. Our physician reviewer found the enrollee 
does not have documented, ongoing, home health physical therapy needs. The enrollee is functioning at a level 
commiserate with a lower level of care. As such, the requested, ongoing, home health physical therapy services 
are not medically necessary or reasonable. 
 
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of home health services have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan 
does not have to pre-approve 3 home health physical therapy visits (G0151 x3).
Appeal type: Surgery
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for procedure code 21240 billed for date of service March 29, 
2023.  
 
You asked the Plan to pay for procedure code 21240. 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 21240 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 21240 have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for 
procedure code 21240 billed for date of service March 29, 2023.
Appeal type: DME/ Orthotics
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve a total electric hospital bed. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve total electric hospital bed. You say that you could really benefit from having 
this bed. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says this item is not covered by Medicare. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. Medicare rules say that total electric hospital beds are not covered.  
 
We looked at the file and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that Medicare rules for 
coverage of total electric hospital bed have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to 
pre-approve a total electric hospital bed.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the services (99233) provided on March 23, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for the services. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says this code is only 
payable once per day. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. Medicare rules say that Initial Hospital Care (CPT codes 99221 - 99223) 
and Subsequent Hospital Care (CPT codes 99231 - 99233) codes are per diem services and may be reported 
only once per day by the same physician or physicians of the same specialty from the same group practice. 
 
We looked at the file and Medicare rules. The records show that code 99233 was previously processed and paid 
by the Plan for the same date of service. As this code was billed by a provider of the same group practice, the 
billed service is not payable. 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 the services (99233) 
provided on March 23, 2023.
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 you are requesting a fast appeal for the denial of an 
IRF admission. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says criteria for admission to the acute IRF setting have 
not been met.  
 
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 the complexity of the enrollees nursing, medical and rehabilitation needs do not 
require an acute hospital inpatient stay with an interdisciplinary approach to rehabilitation care. The enrollee 
continues to have a need for skilled therapy with ongoing safety concerns and a potential for functional 
improvement; however, the documentation doesnt support that they meet criteria for admission to an acute 
inpatient rehabilitation facility. The enrollee can receive further services at a lower 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 inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) admission and services.
Appeal type: Lab
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for procedure code 84480 billed for date of service May 16, 
2023.  
 
You asked the Plan to pay for procedure code 84480. You say that this service is supported in the medical 
record. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says payment for code 84480 is bundled into payment for code 
84481. 
 
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 code 84480 
is a column II code to column I code 84481 with a modifier indicator of 0. The column II code is therefore not 
payable. 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 code 84480 billed for date of service May 16, 2023.
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 you require extensive hands on assistance from the 
nursing staff and therapy staff to get out of bed. You also say your provider says you will also need close 
medical management of your current medical needs and disease. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says 
admission to an IRF 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 the complexity of your nursing, medical, and rehabilitation needs can be provided in 
a lower level of care and does not require an acute hospital inpatient stay with an interdisciplinary approach to 
rehabilitation care. You require treatment by multiple therapies, including physical therapy and occupational 
therapy, but this can be provided in a lower level of care. There is documentation that there is a reasonable 
expectation that you will be able to fully participate in and benefit from the intensive rehabilitation therapy 
program provided in an IRF, but the services required can be provided at a lower 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 inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) admission and services.
Appeal type: Home Health
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the home health services provided from June 4, 2022, to July 
3, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for the home health services as billed. You say that the required NOA was submitted 
timely. 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 June 4, 2022, to July 3, 
2022.
Appeal type: SNF
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve skilled nursing facility (SNF) care. 
 You asked the Plan to pre-approve SNF care. You say that the SNF admission is medically necessary.  The 
Plan denied your request. The Plan says the enrollee does not meet the criteria for the SNF admission.  
 
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 the enrollee does not have daily skilled nursing needs that require the specialized 
skill, knowledge, and judgment of a skilled professional nurse. The enrollee does have daily skilled therapy 
needs that require the specialized skill, knowledge, and judgment of a skilled professional therapist. The 
enrollee does not require daily skilled nursing and/or skilled therapy on an inpatient basis in a skilled nursing 
facility (SNF) 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 skilled nursing facility (SNF) care.
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 you require IRF services to regain you prior level of 
functioning and independence. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the request 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 inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) admission and services.
Appeal type: Lab
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the laboratory services (80307 and G0483) provided October 
4, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for the laboratory services. You say that the claim should be paid. The Plan denied 
your request. The Plan says the provider did not bill as required by Medicare coding regulations. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. Medicare rules say that providers must report services correctly. 
Providers must report services with the appropriate CPT code. 
 
We find that CPT codes 80307 and G0483 are not supported in the medical record. Specifically, the submitted 
medical records do not contain sufficient detail to support the billed charges. Of note, the medical records 
submitted do not include an order that specifically list what test(s) are to be performed in the custom panel. 
Based on this information, we decided that Medicare rules for coverage of the laboratory services have not 
been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the laboratory services (80307 and 
G0483) provided October 4, 2022.
Appeal type: Imaging
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the computed tomography (CT scan), thorax, diagnostic; 
without contrast material (71250-26) provided May 27, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for the CT scan. You say that the claim should be paid. The Plan denied your 
request. The Plan says the documentation received did not contain the medical records needed. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. Medicare rules say that the provider, supplier, or beneficiary, as 
appropriate, must furnish to the intermediary or carrier sufficient information to determine whether payment is 
due and the amount of payment.  
We looked at the file and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that there is insufficient 
information in the record to determine if Medicare rules for coverage of the CT scan have been met. Review of 
the medical records provided only shows a chest x-ray (71045) was performed on May 27, 2023. Therefore, we 
decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the computed tomography (CT scan), thorax, diagnostic; without 
contrast material (71250-26) provided May 27, 2023.
Appeal type: DME/ Orthotics
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve a ventilator (E0466). 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve a ventilator. 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. 
 The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that ventilators may be covered when they are medically 
necessary for patients who have neuromuscular disease, thoracic restrictive diseases, and chronic respiratory 
failure due to COPD. Claims for ventilators used to provide CPAP or bi-level CPAP therapy will be denied as 
not reasonable and necessary. 
 
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 a ventilator. Our reviewer says that the 
services are not medically necessary. Our physician reviewer found provided records document that the home 
ventilator is being requested for use in average volume assured pressure support (AVAPS) mode which is a 
modality that could be provided by a bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) device with AVAPS and a back-
up rate. Provided records do not document trial and failure of a BiPAP device with AVAPS and a back-up rate. 
 
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of a ventilator have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not 
have to pre-approve a ventilator (E0466).
Appeal type: DME/ Orthotics
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve an electric seat lift mechanism (E0627). 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the durable medical equipment (DME). You say that the DME is medically 
necessary. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says this request is not medically necessary. 
 
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 durable medical equipment (DME). 
Our physician reviewer found the documentation does not indicate that the enrollee has severe neuromuscular 
disease or that they are incapable of standing up from a regular armchair or any chair in their home. 
 
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 durable medical equipment (DME) have not been met. Therefore, we 
decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve an electric seat lift mechanism (E0627).
Appeal type: Imaging
Decision: Favorable

 
We decided that the Plan has to pay for the radiologic examination, abdomen; 1 view (74018) provided 
October 22, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for the x-ray. You say that the claim denied as duplicate in error. The Plan denied 
your request. The Plan says that this is a duplicate claim that has already been considered for payment. 
 
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 documentation that this was a duplicate claim that has 
already been considered for payment. Therefore, we decided that the Plan has to pay for the radiologic 
examination, abdomen; 1 view (74018) provided October 22, 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.