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

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve a CardioMems device. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve a CardioMems device. You say that the enrollee's condition could cause 
health decline and re-hospitalization. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says based on the records, the 
enrollee did not meet criteria due to lack of reliable evidence and therefore experimental/investigational which 
is not covered by Medicare. 
 
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 a CardioMems device. Our reviewer 
says that the requested items/services are not considered medically reasonable and necessary in this case.  Our 
physician reviewer found the CardioMEMS device was approved by the FDA in 2014 and consists of a sensor 
device placed in the pulmonary artery to allow measurement of pulmonary artery pressure in the management 
of enrollees with CHF. The clinical study on which FDA approval was based showed improved clinical 
outcomes and decreased hospitalizations in enrollees in whom the CardioMEMS system was implanted, 
reflecting an enrollee population with preserved ejection fraction and was somewhat limited in scope. 
Subsequent follow-up studies remain encouraging and suggest an improvement in heart failure symptoms with 
the use of the device. In addition, published expert opinion in the cardiology literature is supportive of the 
clinical usefulness of CardioMEMS. Nonetheless, there remains a dearth of randomized, blinded clinical 
studies examining long-term clinical outcomes establishing the value of CardioMEMS in enrollee management. 
As a result, at this time the CardioMEMS system would not be considered medically appropriate and necessary 
in this enrollee's clinical management. 
 
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 CardioMems device have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan 
does not have to pre-approve a CardioMems device.
Appeal type: Step-Therapy
Decision: Favorable

 
We decided that the Plan has to pre-approve Remicade. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve Remicade. You say that the records provided support the need for the 
requested drug.  The Plan denied your request. The Plan says that the medical information received does not 
show that the enrollee has tried and failed at least two of the preferred agents. The Plan says that there is only 
documentation indicating that the enrollee cannot take Stelara.  
 
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. Specifically, the Plan's marketing materials do not clearly disclose that 
Remicade is subject to step therapy. The burden is on the Plan do make this disclosure under the rules. 
Therefore, we decided that the Plan has to pre-approve Remicade.  
 
If the Plan does not agree with our decision, they can ask us to open a case again. We only open a case again 
if we believe there was a mistake or if there is new information to review. The Plan has to show us the mistake 
and/or send us the new information. This does not happen often. If we decide to open the case again, we will 
send you a letter.
Appeal type: 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 you are requesting reconsideration for the denial of 
a SNF admission. You say you need the rehabilitation to regain your strength and function on your own. The 
Plan denied your request. The Plan says the SNF services requested do not meet the requirements for approval.  
 
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 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 and/or skilled therapy on an inpatient basis in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) setting. 
Daily skilled services are not required to establish a maintenance program or to prevent deterioration of your 
condition. Your care needs, custodial and intermittent, 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 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: Supplemental Benefit
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve endodontic therapy on tooth 18 (D3330), and an 
unlisted dental code (D3999). 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the dental services. You say that this is medically necessary. The Plan 
denied your request. The Plan says the enrollees benefit for the endodontic therapy has already been 
exhausted. An unlisted dental code is not a covered benefit. 
 
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 the enrollees benefit for the endodontic therapy was exhausted on date of service January 4, 2023. 
Additionally, an unlisted dental code is not a covered benefit. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not 
have to pre-approve endodontic therapy on tooth 18 (D3330), and an unlisted dental code (D3999).
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 you would benefit with continued services. The Plan 
denied your request. The Plan says the services are 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 you do not have daily skilled nursing needs that require the specialized skill, 
knowledge, and judgment of a skilled professional nurse. You do 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 and 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: Lab
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the genetic testing provided on November 10, 2022, billed 
with codes 81226, 81240, 81241, & 81328. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for the genetic testing billed. You say that this service was medically necessary. The 
Plan denied your request. The Plan says panel testing should be billed using one CPT code on the claim. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that if one laboratory procedure evaluates multiple genes 
using a next generation sequencing (NGS) procedure, the laboratory shall report only one unit of service of one 
genomic sequencing procedure, molecular multianalyte assay, multianalyte assay with algorithmic analysis, or 
proprietary laboratory analysis code. 
 We looked at the file and Medicare rules. This was a panel that was not billed with a single panel code as 
required. Based on this information, we decided that Medicare rules for coverage of the genetic testing billed 
have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the genetic testing provided on 
November 10, 2022, billed with codes 81226, 81240, 81241, & 81328.
Appeal type: Transportation
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve additional mileage for routine transportation. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve additional mileage for routine transportation. You say that you need to get 
to a medical appointment. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says your benefit only allows 72 one-way 
trips with each one-way trip not exceeding 50 miles of driving distance. 
 Medicare does not cover transport in a vehicle that is not an ambulance. However, the Plan offers a 
transportation benefit that exceeds Medicare coverage. For that reason, the Plans coverage rules apply in this 
case. The Plan covers routine transportation when the driving distance for a one-way trip is within 50 miles.  
 
We looked at your request, the records in the case file, and the rules. Based on this information, we decided 
that the Plans rules for coverage of routine transportation have not been met. Specifically, the provider is 
located 81.9 miles away from your residence. The Plan only covers distances up to 50 miles. Therefore, we 
decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve additional mileage for routine transportation.
Appeal type: Imaging
Decision: Favorable

 
We decided that the Plan has to pre-approve a computed tomography (CT) scan of the thorax. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the CT scan. You say that the records provided support medical necessity. 
The Plan denied your request. The Plan says that the criteria for coverage have not been met. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. Medicare rules say that CT scans are covered only when they are 
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 CT scan. Our reviewer says that the 
service is medically necessary. Our physician reviewer found based upon medical history, the enrollee qualifies 
for annual lung cancer screening. Since the enrollee had a partial lobectomy in the past, the requested CT scan 
is appropriate. 
 
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 CT scan have been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan has to pre-
approve a computed tomography (CT) scan of the thorax.  
 
If the Plan does not agree with our decision, they can ask us to open a case again. We only open a case again 
if we believe there was a mistake or if there is new information to review. The Plan has to show us the mistake 
and/or send us the new information. This does not happen often. If we decide to open the case again, we will 
send you a letter.
Appeal type: 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 the enrollee requires skilled therapy in order to 
regain strength and their prior level of functioning. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the request 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 have 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 and/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: Lab
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for procedure codes 88341 & 88342 billed for date of service 
February 22, 2022.  
 
You asked the Plan to pay for procedure codes 88341 & 88342. You say that these services were medically 
necessary. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says payment for codes 88341 & 88342 are bundled into 
payment for code 88360. 
 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 codes 
88341 & 88342 are column II codes to column I code 88360 with a modifier indicator of 0. The column II 
codes are 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 codes 88341 & 88342 billed for date of 
service February 22, 2022.
Appeal type: Home Health
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for home health services provided January 1, 2022 to January 
30, 2022. 
 You asked the Plan to pay for the home health services. You say that this service was medically necessary. The 
Plan denied your request. The Plan says the NOA was not received timely. As such, this final claim was 
correctly denied.  
 
The Plan follows Medicare rules. The rules say that an NOA must be submitted within 5 days of the start of 
care date for home health services. NOAs which are received more than 30 days from the timely filing date 
result in no payment being made for the episode of care.  
 
In this case, the start of care date is January 1, 2022. The NOA was not received by the Plan until August 16, 
2022. As more than 30 days passed between the timely filing date and the NOA receipt, no payment can be 
made on this claim. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for home health services provided 
January 1, 2022 to January 30, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for X-Rays provided on November 13, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for X-Rays. You say that the claim was submitted with the appropriate modifiers. 
The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the enrollee was incarcerated on this date of service and these 
services were not billed with the -QJ modifier to indicate the special requirements for Medicare coverage have 
been met. 
 The Plan must follow Medicare rules. Medicare rules say that Medicare presumes non-coverage for items and 
services furnished to a beneficiary that is in the custody of a state or local government under a penal statute. 
Jurisdictions that meet the conditions for coverage should be indicated using the -QJ modifier. 
 
We looked at the file and Medicare rules. The enrollee was in custody under a penal statute at the time these 
services were performed and the -QJ modifier has not been included on this claim. Based on this information, 
we decided that Medicare rules for coverage of X-Rays have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan 
does not have to pay for X-Rays provided on November 13, 2022.
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 services are necessary for the 
enrollee to receive the next level of care for their brain injury. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the 
enrollee's needs can be met in another level of care such as a skilled nursing facility.  
 
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 the enrollee appears to be improving with current treatment and should require only 
short-term additional acute care services that can safely be provided at the current facility until more stable and 
appropriate for a lower level of care. The enrollee does not require services at the LTACH that are not already 
available at the current facility.  
 
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of 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 an office visit provided on January 5, 2023, by an out-of-
network (OON) provider.  
 
You asked the Plan to pay for an office visit. You say that this is supported in the records. The Plan denied 
your request. The Plan says this was not authorized. 
 
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 an office visit provided on January 5, 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 procedure code 99233 billed for date of service August 23, 
2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for procedure code 99233. You say that the services at issue have been billed 
correctly. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says rules for payment have not been met. 
 
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 code 99233 is not supported in the medical record. Specifically, the provided medical records 
do not contain records for the date of service at issue. Based on this information, we decided that Medicare 
rules for coverage of procedure code 99233 have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not 
have to pay for procedure code 99233 billed for date of service August 23, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for procedure code G2083 billed for date of service July 26, 
2022.  
 You asked the Plan to pay for procedure code G2083. You say that this should be paid. 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 G2083 is 1 unit. The MAI value for this code is 2. You billed 84 units of 
this code, exceeding the MUE. Based on this information, we decided that Medicare rules for coverage of 
procedure code G2083 have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pay for 
procedure code G2083 billed for date of service July 26, 2022.
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 the requested admission to an IRF is medically 
necessary. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the requested admission to an IRF does not meet 
criteria. 
 
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 enrollee was admitted for a pelvic fracture after a fall. Medical problems are 
stable. There are no complex nursing or rehabilitation needs. The enrollee does not require treatment by 
multiple therapies, including either physical therapy or occupational therapy, and an intensive rehabilitation 
therapy program. While the medical record supports a need for physical and/or occupational therapy, there is 
no documented need for intensive rehabilitation services. Medically necessary care can be provided in a 
different level of care. There is not a reasonable expectation that this enrollee will be able to fully participate in 
and benefit from the intensive rehabilitation therapy program provided in an IRF. 
 
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.