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

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve a sacroiliac joint injection. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the injection. You say that you feel that the injection should be covered 
because you are in constant pain. You say that the injection is the only relief you can get from the pain. The 
Plan denied your request. The Plan says a sacroiliac joint injection is not medically necessary.  
 
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 injection. Our reviewer says that 
you do not meet the coverage criteria. Our physician reviewer found that the enrollee has a sacroiliac joint 
injection on May 25, 2023, which provided 50 % pain relief for two weeks. The LCD coverage criteria requires 
75 % pain relief, which was not achieved. Therefore, the request is 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 injection have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not 
have to pre-approve a sacroiliac joint injection.
Appeal type: Imaging
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve a low dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan for lung 
cancer screening. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the requested LDCT scan. You say that you have a family history of lung 
cancer. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the criteria for coverage have not been met. 
 The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that Medicare covers one annual LDCT scan for lung 
cancer screening for enrollees who meet all the criteria described in the Medicare rules section of this letter.  
 
We reviewed the file and the Medicare rules. We find that the record shows you quit smoking over 15 years 
ago. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve a low dose computed tomography 
(LDCT) scan for lung cancer screening.
Appeal type: Supplemental Benefit
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for monaural hearing aids (V5050) provided on January 29, 
2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for monaural hearing aids (V5050). You say that the hearing aids from this vendor 
are of a good quality and cost effective. The Plan vendors are $7,000 to $8,000 a pair, whereas this vendor is 
$1,599.98 a pair. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the provider who performed these services is not 
in the Plan vendor network. The Plan also says that while you are a member of the Plan, you must use network 
providers to receive your medical care and services. 
 
Medicare does not pay for hearing aids or related services. However, the Plan offers a hearing aid benefit that 
exceeds Medicare coverage. For that reason, the plans coverage rules apply in this case. The Plan pays for 
hearing aids only when the hearing aids are obtained through an in-network provider.  
 
 
  We looked at the file, and the Plan's rules. Based on this information, we decided that the Plan's rules for 
coverage of monaural hearing aids (V5050) have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not 
have to pay for monaural hearing aids (V5050) provided on January 29, 2023.
Appeal type: DME/ Orthotics
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve the home ventilator (E0466). 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the home ventilator. You say that the ventilator is medically necessary. The 
Plan denied your request. The Plan says the ventilator is not medically necessary. 
 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 the home ventilator. Our physician 
reviewer found there is no diagnosis of thoracic restrictive disease or neuromuscular disease. There is no 
arterial blood gas done while stable to document chronic carbon dioxide (CO2) retention. If that is present, the 
enrollee may benefit from bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) with average volume-assured pressure 
support (AVAPS) during sleep as an outpatient. Medicare does not cover a home ventilator when used at 
settings that can be provided with BiPAP. The denial is upheld. 
 
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 home ventilator have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does 
not have to pre-approve the home ventilator (E0466).
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 the enrollee is currently admitted into the 
hospital and wants to be in skilled nursing facility. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the enrollee is 
receiving appropriate in-patient acute care and does not require transfer. 
 
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 there are no services available at the LTACH that the enrollee requires that are not 
available at the current health care setting being offered by the health plan. 
 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 pay for outpatient visit provided on March 05, 2023, by an out-of-
network (OON) provider.  
 
 You asked the Plan to pay for outpatient visit. 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 outpatient visit provided on March 05, 2023, by an 
out-of-network (OON) provider.
Appeal type: Supplemental Benefit
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay more for a periodic oral evaluation and cleaning (D0120, 
D1110) provided on February 14, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay more for the dental services. You say that the services should be covered as you 
disagree with the charges. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says your benefit for the requested item or 
service 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 the requested item or service was exhausted on date of service February 22, 2023, the 
claim for dental services rendered on February 14, 2023, was not received until May 02, 2023, resulting in 
retroactive benefit exhaustion. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay more for a periodic 
oral evaluation and cleaning (D0120, D1110) provided on February 14, 2023.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the genicular nerves 
(64624). 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve RFA of the genicular nerves. You say that the services are necessary. The 
Plan denied your request. The Plan says medical necessity has not been established. Therefore, coverage 
criteria have not been met. 
 
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 RFA of the genicular nerves. Our 
reviewer says that the requested items/services are not considered medically reasonable and necessary in this 
case. Our physician reviewer found this is considered an experimental therapy at this time. It is the subject of 
ongoing clinical trials. Therefore, the request is deemed 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 RFA of the genicular nerves have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the 
Plan does not have to pre-approve radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the genicular nerves (64624).
Appeal type: Supplemental Benefit
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for periodontal maintenance (D4910) provided on May 15, 
2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for the dental services. You say that this should be covered. The Plan denied your 
request. The Plan says your benefit for the requested item or service 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 the requested item or service was exhausted on date of service February 20, 2023. 
Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for periodontal maintenance (D4910) provided on May 15, 2023.
Appeal type: Hospice
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for hospital services provided on February 7, 2023. 
 You asked the Plan to pay for the hospital services. You say that the enrollee was not on hospice on this date. 
The Plan denied your request. The Plan says Original Medicare is responsible for payment. 
 
Medicare rules say that Original Medicare, not the Plan, is responsible for all Medicare-covered non-hospice 
services. Medicare hospice pays for claims related to the terminal illness. The rules say that the Plan may direct 
the provider to bill Medicare directly for these services.  
 
The enrollee was under the Medicare hospice benefit for the dates of service at issue in this appeal. Therefore, 
we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for hospital services provided on February 7, 2023.
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 that the enrollee is needing SNF services. The Plan 
denied your request. The Plan says a SNF admission 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 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 not 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 or skilled therapy on an inpatient basis in a 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 SNF care.
Appeal type: DME/ Orthotics
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve a Dexcom G7 receiver. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the Dexcom G7 receiver. You say that your previous Dexcom G6 stopped 
working and you need a new CGM. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says only the preferred brand 
products listed in the EOC are covered.  
  The Plan must follow Medicare rules. Medicare rules say that plans may specify brands and manufacturers as 
preferred and charge lower cost-sharing for the preferred brands or may limit the DME to only those preferred 
brands and manufacturers. Plans must ensure that enrollees have access to all medically necessary (including 
non- preferred) DME products or brands. The rules also say that a health plan must disclose to its enrollees, in 
clear accurate terms, the benefits offered under a plan, including applicable conditions and limitations 
associated with receipt or use of benefits. 
 
We looked at the file and Medicare rules. According to the EOC, the requested brand is not a preferred brand 
for a CGM. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve a Dexcom G7 receiver.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the radiology services provided on March 14, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for the radiology services. 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 the radiology services 
provided on March 14, 2023.
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 were admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia. 
The Plan denied your request. The Plan says a SNF admission 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 have daily skilled nursing needs that require the specialized skill, 
knowledge, and judgment of a skilled professional nurse. You do not have daily skilled therapy needs that 
require the specialized skill, knowledge, and judgment of a skilled professional therapist. You do not require 
daily skilled nursing or skilled therapy on an inpatient basis in a 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 SNF care.
Appeal type: Supplemental Benefit
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for a periodic oral evaluation, intra-oral x-ray, bitewing x-rays, 
application of fluoride varnish, and periodontal maintenance (D0120, D0220, D0230, D0274, D1206, D4910) 
provided on January 25, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for the dental services. You say that the services should be covered as you disagree 
with the denial. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the dental services were received from an out-of-
network provider and are not covered by your supplemental benefits.  
 
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. 
 
 
  The record shows you received the requested dental services from an out-of-network provider. Though the Plan 
offers a dental benefit in excess of Medicare coverage, the requested items or services are not covered under 
this benefit when received from an out-of-network provider. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have 
to pay for a periodic oral evaluation, intra-oral x-ray, bitewing x-rays, application of fluoride varnish, and 
periodontal maintenance (D0120, D0220, D0230, D0274, D1206, D4910) provided on January 25, 2023.
Appeal type: Lab
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the genetic testing provided on March 27, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for the genetic testing. You say that a provider ordered these lab services for the 
enrollee. 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 the genetic testing 
provided on March 27, 2023.
Appeal type: Transportation
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the ambulance response and treatment with no transport 
provided on February 9, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for the ambulance response and treatment with no transport. You say that you had an 
accident and the ambulance was called. You also say that you were examined and the services were received 
during the emergency but you were not transported. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says these services 
are not a covered benefit.  
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that Medicare does not pay for ambulance services when 
there is no transport.  
 
The ambulance company did not provide transport services on February 9, 2023. The ambulance benefit is a 
transportation benefit. When there is no transport, neither Medicare nor the Plan pays for the services provided. 
Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the ambulance response and treatment with no 
transport provided on February 9, 2023.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) (77373). 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve SBRT. You say that you disagree with the denial. The Plan denied your 
request. The Plan says SBRT is not reasonable and necessary, as the enrollee's condition does not meet Plan 
criteria. There is no good evidence the SBRT treatment is safe or effective for the enrollee's cancer. 
 
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 SBRT. Our reviewer says that the 
requested items/services are not considered medically reasonable and necessary in this case. Our physician 
reviewer found for metastatic disease, SBRT is generally only indicated for enrollees with oligometastatic 
disease for those undergoing palliation after prior radiation to the same site. Oligometastases are defined as a 
state of metastatic disease with metastases few in number and extent. For this enrollee, the plan is to treat a liver metastasis from esophageal cancer; other sites of metastases are well-controlled on systemic therapy. 
Certainly, palliative 3D radiation (perhaps dose escalated) could be offered as a standard of care approach 
which conceivably would have lower risks of side effects with no known detriment in cancer outcomes. The 
decision is unfavorable for SBRT and would be favorable for palliative RT with 3D conformal radiation and 
IGRT. 
 
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of SBRT have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to 
pre-approve Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) (77373).