Persius/hicric huggingface dataset:
Appeal type: Supplemental Benefit
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve unspecified removable prosthodontic procedure 
(D5899) and unspecified periodontal procedure (D4999). 
 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve removable prosthodontic procedure and periodontal procedure. You say that 
this should be covered. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says these are not covered services. 
 
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, the requested items or services are not 
among those covered under this benefit. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to pre-approve unspecified removable prosthodontic procedure (D5899) and unspecified periodontal procedure (D4999).
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for domiciliary or rest home visit provided on January 20, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for domiciliary or rest home visit. You say that it is the responsibility of the facility 
to obtain authorization. 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 domiciliary or rest home 
visit provided on January 20, 2023.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for domiciliary or rest home visit provided on November 10, 
2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for domiciliary or rest home visit. You say that it is the responsibility of the facility 
to obtain authorization. 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 domiciliary or rest home 
visit provided on November 10, 2022.
Appeal type: Lab
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for laboratory services provided on December 30, 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 December 30, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for nursing facility care provided on August 02, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for nursing facility care. 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 nursing facility care 
provided on August 02, 2022.
Appeal type: Inpatient Hospital
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to waive the copayment for inpatient hospital stay provided on January 
09, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to waive the copayment for inpatient hospital stay. You say that you say this was outpatient 
surgery and was not admitted to the hospital. 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 $375 
copayment for inpatient hospital care. 
 
You have been asked to pay a $375 copayment for inpatient hospital stay. 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 inpatient 
hospital stay provided on January 09, 2023.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for chronic care management services provided on October 31, 
2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for chronic care management 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 chronic care 
management services provided on October 31, 2022.
Appeal type: Imaging
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to waive the cost share for an MRI provided on October 19, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to waive the cost share for an MRI. You say that you used this facility due to your previous 
abnormal exams and mass followed by the team. 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. Your 
contract with the Plan says that there is a $750 deductible which applies to outpatient diagnostic tests and 20% 
coinsurance for Medicare-covered medical supply.  
 
 
  You have been asked to pay $454.20 for an MRI. The total includes a $449.44 deductible and $4.76 
coinsurance for an injection ($23.80 allowed x 20% = $4.76). This The item or service you asked the Plan to 
waive the cost share for falls within the outpatient diagnostic tests benefit category. The Plan has followed 
Medicare rules by clearly disclosing in the contract that there is a $750 deductible which applies to outpatient 
diagnostic tests. This cost sharing is a contractual obligation that had not been met at the time an MRI was 
received on October 19, 2022. Therefore, we decided that the Plan does not have to waive the cost share for an 
MRI provided on October 19, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for initial nursing facility care provided on January 03, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for initial nursing facility care. You say that the enrollee did not have a choice to the 
provider that was able to see them. 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 initial nursing facility 
care provided on January 03, 2023.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for an office visit provided on January 16, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for an office visit. You say that you are requesting a reconsideration of the denied 
charges. 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 January 16, 2023.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for chronic care management services provided on January 30, 
2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for chronic care management services. You say that the enrollee did not have a 
choice to the provider that was able to see them. 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 chronic care 
management services provided on January 30, 2023.
Appeal type: Outpatient Mental Health
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for an outpatient mental health visit provided on November 15, 
2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for an outpatient mental health visit. You say that you are an in-network provider 
with the Plan. 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 outpatient mental 
health visit provided on November 15, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for hospital inpatient or observation discharge day management 
provided on December 29, 2022.  
You asked the Plan to pay for hospital inpatient or observation discharge day management. You say that the 
claim should be reprocessed. 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 inpatient or observation discharge day management 
provided on December 29, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for an office visit provided on February 09, 2023. 
 
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 February 09, 2023.
Appeal type: SNF
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for subsequent nursing facility care visits provided on October 
28, 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 October 28, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for domiciliary or rest home visit provided on December 12, 
2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for domiciliary or rest home visit. You say that it is the responsibility of the facility 
to obtain authorization. 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 domiciliary or rest home 
visit provided on December 12, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for initial nursing facility care provided on December 05, 2022. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for initial nursing facility care. 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 initial nursing facility 
care provided on December 05, 2022.
Appeal type: Imaging
Decision: Favorable

 
We decided that the Plan has to pre-approve a CT scan of the thoracic spine. 
 
You asked the Plan to pre-approve a CT scan of the thoracic spine. You say that the enrollee would like 
reconsideration based on the records submitted. The Plan denied your request. The Plan says that a CT scan of 
the thoracic spine is not medically necessary. 
 
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 a CT scan of the thoracic spine. Our 
reviewer says that a CT scan of the thoracic spine is medically necessary. Our physician reviewer found that 
the enrollee has compromised renal function as well as non-healing foot wounds. When the enrollee is 
presenting mid back the concern must be to rule out discitis or osteomyelitis. Since the magnetic resonance 
imaging is contraindicated the requested CT scan of the thoracic spine makes sense. This scan would be done 
with intravenous contrast enhancement, however due to impaired renal function that is thought to be unsafe for 
the enrollee. Therefore, considering the history and physical exam along with the non-healing foot ulcers the 
requested CT scan of the thoracic spine is medically 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 a CT scan of the thoracic spine have not been met. Therefore, we decided that 
the Plan has to pre-approve a CT scan of the thoracic spine.  
 
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: Lab
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for laboratory services provided on September 27, 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 September 27, 2022.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for an office visit provided on February 02, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for an office visit. You say that you are requesting a reconsideration due to the 
enrollee is new to the area is trying to get established with a PCP. 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 February 02, 2023.
Appeal type: Practitioner Services
Decision: Unfavorable

 
We decided that the Plan does not have to pay for domiciliary or rest home visit provided on January 10, 2023. 
 
You asked the Plan to pay for domiciliary or rest home visit. You say that it is the responsibility of the facility 
to obtain authorization. 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 domiciliary or rest home 
visit provided on January 10, 2023.