Persius/hicric huggingface dataset:
Appeal type: Home Health
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the home health services provided from January 25, 2022, to 
February 23, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for the home health services as billed. You say that you would like the Plan to 
reconsider their denial of payment. 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 January 25, 2022, to 
February 23, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for procedure code 0003A billed for date of service March 31, 
2022. 
 You asked the Plan to pay for procedure code 0003A. You say that you would like the Plan to reconsider their 
denial of payment. 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 0003A 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 0003A have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for 
procedure code 0003A billed for date of service March 31, 2022.
Appeal type: Inpatient Hospital
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to waive the copayment for an IRF stay provided from May 6, 2022, to 
May 23, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to waive the copayment for an IRF stay. You say that you were under the impression an 
IRF stay was covered for 21 days, and you only stayed 17 days. 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 $370 
copayment per day for days 1 to 5 and then $0 copayment per day after day 5 for inpatient hospital care.  
 
 You have been asked to pay a $1,850 copayment an IRF stay ($370 per day x 5 days = $1,850). 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 an IRF stay provided from May 6, 2022, to May 23, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for laboratory specimen testing provided on November 22, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for laboratory specimen testing. 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 laboratory specimen 
testing provided on November 22, 2022.
Appeal type: SNF
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for subsequent nursing facility care visits provided on 
September 26, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for subsequent nursing facility care visits. You say that the records attached support 
the services provided. 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 subsequent nursing 
facility care visits provided on September 26, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for telehealth services provided on October 17, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for telehealth services. You say that the records attached support the services 
provided. 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 telehealth services 
provided on October 17, 2022.
Appeal type: Imaging
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve a LDCT scan for lung cancer screening. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the requested LDCT scan. You say that you would like reconsideration 
based on the records submitted. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says a LDCT scan for lung cancer 
screening is not medically necessary. 
 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 you do not fall within the age range. Therefore, we 
decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve a LDCT scan for lung cancer screening.
Appeal type: Surgery
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to reduce the copayment for the mastoid cavity cleaning provided on 
December 05, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to reduce the copayment for the mastoid cavity cleaning. You say that your copayment for 
the cleaning should only be $20. 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 $100 
copayment for surgery at an outpatient hospital or ambulatory surgical center. 
 
You have been asked to pay a $100 copayment for the mastoid cavity cleaning. This item/service falls within 
the surgery at an outpatient hospital or ambulatory surgical center 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 the mastoid cavity cleaning provided on December 05, 2022.
Appeal type: Surgery
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for a bladder procedure provided on January 03, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for a bladder procedure. 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 a bladder procedure 
provided on January 03, 2023.
Appeal type: Lab
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for one unit of procedure code Q9966 provided on November 7, 
2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for one unit of procedure code Q9966. You say that you would like the Plan to 
reconsider their denial of payment. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the records do not support the 
billing of code Q9966. 
 
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 Q9966 is Low osmolar contrast material, 200-299 mg/ml 
iodine concentration, per ml. 
 
We find that CPT code Q9966 is not supported in the medical record. Specifically, the records show that 1.0 CC of Omnipaque 180mg/ml was injected. There is a more appropriate code that fits the amount administered. 
Based on this information, we decided that Medicare rules for coverage of one unit of procedure code Q9966 
have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for one unit of procedure code 
Q9966 provided on November 7, 2022.
Appeal type: Lab
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for laboratory services provided on April 07, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for laboratory services. You say that the records attached support the services 
provided. 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 laboratory services 
provided on April 07, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for subsequent nursing facility care visits provided on December 
12, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for subsequent nursing facility care visits. You say that the records attached support 
the services provided. 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 subsequent nursing 
facility care visits provided on December 12, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for an office visit provided on August 29, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for an office visit. You say that the records attached support the services provided. 
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 office visit provided 
on August 29, 2022.
Appeal type: Imaging
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to waive the copayment for a computed tomography (CT) scan 
provided on January 19, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to waive the copayment for a computed tomography (CT) scan. You say that you should 
not have to pay for a procedure that was completed incorrectly. 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 $160 
copayment for outpatient diagnostic test. 
 
You have been asked to pay a $160 copayment for a computed tomography (CT) scan. This item/service falls 
within the outpatient diagnostic test 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 a 
computed tomography (CT) scan provided on January 19, 2023.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for a wound care visit provided on July 01, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for a wound care visit. You say that these 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 a wound care visit 
provided on July 01, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for a subsequent nursing facility care visit provided on 
December 15, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for a subsequent nursing facility care visit. You say that the records attached support 
the services provided. 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 subsequent nursing 
facility care visit provided on December 15, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for a hospital outpatient clinic visit and an office visit provided 
on November 16, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for a hospital outpatient clinic visit and an office visit. You say that this 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 a hospital outpatient 
clinic visit and an office visit provided on November 16, 2022.
Appeal type: SNF
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for subsequent nursing facility care visits provided on August 
10, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for subsequent nursing facility care visits. You say that the records attached support 
the services provided. 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 subsequent nursing 
facility care visits provided on August 10, 2022.
Appeal type: Inpatient Hospital
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve acute IRF admission and services. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve IRF care. You say that you cannot walk without assistance from a physical 
therapist. You say that your balance is still off, and you use a cane to walk. The Plan denied your request. The 
Plan says an IRF admission is not medically necessary, and your needs can be met at a lower level of care. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that IRF admission is covered only when it is medically 
reasonable and necessary as described in the Medicare rules section. 
 
  We asked our physician reviewer to carefully review the case file and apply the relevant Medicare rules to 
determine if the Plan was correct in denying the request to pre-approve IRF care. Our reviewer says that the 
requested IRF care is not considered medically reasonable and necessary based on Medicare guidelines. Our 
physician reviewer found that your medical problems are stable and there are no complex nursing or 
rehabilitation needs. While the medical record supports a need for physical or occupational therapy, there is no 
documented need for intensive rehabilitation services. Medically necessary care can be provided in a different 
level of care. 
 
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of IRF care have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have 
to pre-approve acute IRF admission and services.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for a home or residence visit provided on November 22, 2022, to 
November 28, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for a home or residence visit. You say that the records attached support the services 
provided. 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 or residence visit 
provided on November 22, 2022, to November 28, 2022.
Appeal type: Testing
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for Covid-19 testing provided on September 18, 2021. 
 You asked the Plan to pay for Covid-19 testing. You say that the enrollee lives in an assisted living facility, and 
it is required that all patients be tested for Covid-19. 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 Covid-19 testing provided on September 18, 2021.