Persius/hicric huggingface dataset:
Appeal type: Imaging
Decision: Favorable

 
We decided that the Plan has to pre-approve a CT scan of the chest. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the CT scan. You say that you need this procedure because of your history 
of smoking and exposure to asbestos. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says that the enrollee does not 
meet the criteria for coverage. 
 
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 
request is medically necessary. Our physician reviewer found the records show a history of smoking, asbestos 
exposure, recurring pneumonia, and shortness of breath. Your symptoms and history are valid indications for a 
CT scan of the chest. 
 
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 CT scan of the chest.  
 
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: 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 admission is medically necessary for the 
enrollee. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the records show the enrollee's condition does not meet 
the criteria. The Plan says services needed could be provided in another setting, an acute rehabilitation facility, 
skilled nursing facility, nursing facility, outpatient setting or home care.  
 
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 is receiving appropriate care in current acute care setting as provided by 
the Plan. Documentation does not support that LTACH services are medically appropriate currently. The enrollee's records do not support the need to transfer from one acute hospital to another. 
 
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: Supplemental Benefit
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve surgical extractions (D7210) for teeth #8, #21, #22, #23, 
#27, and #28. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the dental services. You say that the services should be covered as the 
enrollee disagrees with the denial. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the services denied correctly as 
the enrollee does not meet the clinical requirements to be approved. 
 
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 Plan covers the dental 
services when the services are medically necessary and reasonable.  
 
 
  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 dental services. Our physician 
reviewer found that the submitted medical records could not be used to determine medical necessity for the 
requested services at this time. 
 
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
the Plan's rules for coverage of the dental services have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does 
not have to pre-approve surgical extractions (D7210) for teeth #8, #21, #22, #23, #27, and #28.
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 there is a concern for the enrollee with recurrent 
falls, and requests a Skilled Nursing admission, to continue work on building up strength and mobility. The 
Plan denied your request. The Plan says the enrollee does not meet the criteria for a skilled nursing facility 
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 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 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 need IRF care as you have ongoing medical and 
rehabilitation needs. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says these services are 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 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 do 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: Lab
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for laboratory testing provided on August 23, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for laboratory testing. You say that this was medically necessary and done in good 
faith, please review documents. 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 testing 
provided on August 23, 2023.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for the acute inpatient hospital care provided on November 8, 
2022, to November 9, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for acute inpatient hospital care. You say that it is medically necessary. The Plan 
denied your request. The Plan says it is not medically necessary. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that inpatient hospital care is covered when the doctor 
expects the patient to need hospital care that crosses at least two midnights. In rare and unusual cases, 
consideration may be given to inpatient hospital care when the hospital stay does not cross two midnights or 
more.  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 pay for acute inpatient hospital care. Our reviewer 
says that the documentation does not support that the criteria for inpatient payment are met in this case. Our 
physician reviewer found that the enrollee is described without major acute disease, relatively stable on 
amiodarone, it was not expected that the enrollee would have required hospital services that would have likely 
crossed 2 midnights or would have had an adverse event. Observation status would have been appropriate for 
this enrollee.  
 
We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of acute inpatient hospital care have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the 
Plan does not have to pay for the acute inpatient hospital care provided on November 8, 2022, to November 9, 
2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve peripheral nerve block. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve peripheral nerve block. You say that you are requesting reconsideration for 
the denied claim. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says there is not enough evidence to show that this 
procedure is safe and that it works well for knee pain. 
 
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 peripheral nerve block. 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 experimental therapy. It is the subject of ongoing clinical trials. 
 
 We looked at this physician's review, the file, and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that 
Medicare rules for coverage of peripheral nerve block have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan 
does not have to pre-approve peripheral nerve block.
Appeal type: DME/ Orthotics
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve repairs to a power wheelchair (E2210, E2391, E2395, 
E2619, K0019, K0108, K0739). 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve repairs to a power wheelchair. 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. Medicare rules say that to repair means to fix or mend and to put the 
equipment back in good condition after damage or wear. 
 
We looked at the file and Medicare rules. Based on this information, we decided that Medicare rules for 
coverage of repairs to a power wheelchair have not been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not 
have to pre-approve repairs to a power wheelchair (E2210, E2391, E2395, E2619, K0019, K0108, K0739).
Appeal type: Home Health
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve home health skilled services. 
 You asked the Plan to pre-approve home health services. You say that home health care is medically necessary 
at this time. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says based on the clinical documentation submitted, you 
require a higher level of care at this time. At this time, Medicare criteria has not been met. 
 
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 that based on 
the documentation provided, that the health plans denial should be upheld.  You do not have intermittent, 
skilled nursing needs. Your care needs are chronic and custodial. As such, home health skilled nursing 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 home health skilled services.
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 enrollee's ability to regain maximum function is 
in jeopardy. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says the denial of IRF care is correct.  
 
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 rehab hospital inpatient stay with an interdisciplinary approach to rehabilitation care. The 
enrollee does not require treatment by multiple therapies, including either physical therapy or occupational 
therapy, at an intensive rehabilitation therapy program. 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 the enrollee would meet criteria for admission to an acute inpatient rehabilitation 
facility.  There is no indication that the enrollee would require skilled rehabilitation in an IRF, participating in 
rehab services 15 hours a week, under the supervision of a physician with at least 3 visits weekly to regain or 
maintain his functional status.  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: Drugs
Decision: Favorable

 
We decided that the Plan has to pre-approve Fulphila, pembrolizumab, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, 
palonosetron, fosaprepitant, and doxamethasone. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve the chemotherapy regimen. You say that the requested drugs are medically 
necessary for the enrollee. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says that the requested drug regimen is not 
medically necessary for the enrollee's condition. 
 
The Plan must follow Medicare rules. The rules say that Medicare may pay for unlabeled uses for anti-cancer 
drugs if they are medically accepted as safe and effective or appropriate for the particular use.  
 
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 chemotherapy regimen. Our 
reviewer says that the drug regimen is medically necessary. Our physician reviewer found the requested drug 
regimen of Fulphila, pembrolizumab, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, palonosetron, fosaprepitant, and 
doxamethasone is FDA-approved for the enrollee's diagnosis. The order for chemotherapy can be reversed 
from standard. The documentation supports that the requested drugs are safe and effective and otherwise 
reasonable and necessary for this enrollee. 
 
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 chemotherapy regimen have been met. Therefore, we decided that the Plan 
has to pre-approve Fulphila, pembrolizumab, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, palonosetron, fosaprepitant, and 
doxamethasone.  
 
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: 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 the provided primary source 
documentation does not contain sufficient detailed information in the medical record to justify the treatment 
selected. The enrollee could be treated with a bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machine with average 
volume-assured pressure support (AVAPS) capability and failure of such a device has not been documented. 
Furthermore, ventilators fall under the Frequent and Substantial Servicing (FSS) payment category, and 
payment policy requirements preclude FSS payment for devices used to deliver continuous and/or intermittent 
positive airway pressure, regardless of the illness treated by the device. The elements of the coverage criteria 
are not satisfied. The requested service cannot be recommended. 
 
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: 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 medical records provided support the need for 
care in an SNF. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says admission to an SNF is not reasonable and 
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 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 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.