Persius/hicric huggingface dataset:
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules say a patient must have at least 1 of the following: 
 
1. Radiographic or clinical evidence of instability due to any 1 of the following: 
 
     a. Congenital deformities, 
     b. Trauma, 
     c. Fractures, 
     d. Chronic degenerative conditions, 
     e. Tumor, 
     f. Infection, 
     g. Erosive conditions, 
     h. Space-occupying lesions, or 
     i. Iatrogenic causes, including expected instability as a consequence of another medically necessary spine 
procedure. 
 
      If more than 1 level is fused under this indication, the record must reflect that each fused level is affected 
by 1 of the above conditions. 
 
 2. Symptomatic spinal deformity (in the absence of instability or neural compression) which meets the 
following criteria: 
 
     Both of the first 2 criteria must be met: 
 
     a. Functional limitation in daily activities due to back pain or discomfort and 
     b. Nonresponse to at least 1 year of non-operative treatment 
     Any 1 of these 3 criteria must be met: 
     c. Sagittal or coronal imbalance by at least 5 cm as measured on radiographic imaging of the entire spine, or 
     d. Progression of deformity by at least 10 degrees, or 
     e. Scoliotic curvature of greater than 30 degrees  3. Revision surgery for pseudarthrosis following an initial spine surgery if the following conditions are all met. 
 
     a. The patient had a period of reduced pain initially following surgery and 
     b. The time since the prior surgery has been at least 1 year and 
     c. There is clear radiographic evidence of pseudarthrosis  and 
     d. The patient has exhausted available conservative treatment measures 
 
The medical record must clearly reflect which conservative treatments the patient has tried or is not a candidate 
for and why, including medical therapies, physical and exercise therapies and injections. Outcomes for fusion 
in revision surgery, usually do not lead to pain relief and as such fusion is considered a last resort treatment 
option only when all other treatment options have failed. This information must be communicated to the patient 
prior to surgery to allow for appropriate shared decision making with a well-informed patient. The medical 
record must reflect that this counseling was done, and that the patient wished to undergo surgery with the 
appropriately informed consent. 
 
 4. Symptomatic compression of neural elements for which disc excision is necessary for decompression. The 
record must reflect disc compression of neural elements for each level fused based on this indication. 
 
You can find this information in Medicare's Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Lumbar Spinal Fusion 
(L37848). 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules state that an epidural steroid injection (ESI) will be considered medically reasonable and necessary 
when the following three (3) requirements are met:  History, physical examination, and concordant radiological 
image-based diagnostic testing and supporting one of the following: 
-Lumbar, cervical or thoracic radiculopathy, radicular pain and/or neurogenic claudication due to disc 
herniation, osteophyte or osteophyte complexes, severe degenerative disc disease, producing foraminal or 
central spinal stenosis, OR -Post-laminectomy syndrome OR Acute herpes zoster associated pain AND 
-Radiculopathy, radicular pain and/or neurogenic claudication is severe enough to greatly impact quality of life 
or function. An objective pain scale or functional assessment must be performed at baseline (prior to 
interventions). The same scale must be repeated at each follow-up assessment of response. AND Pain duration 
of at least four (4) weeks, and the inability to tolerate noninvasive conservative care or medical documentation 
of failure to respond to four (4) weeks of noninvasive conservative care or acute herpes zoster refractory to 
conservative management where four (4) week wait is not required. Repeat ESI when the first injection directly 
and significantly provided improvement of the condition being treated may be considered medically reasonable 
and necessary when the medical record documents at least 50% of sustained improvement in pain relief and/or 
improvement in function measured from baseline using SAME scale* for at least three months. If a patient fails 
to respond well to the initial ESI, a repeat ESI after 14 days can be performed, using a different approach, level 
and/or medication if appropriate, with the rationale and medical necessity for the second ESI documented in the 
medical record. You can find this rule in the Medicare Local Coverage Determination (LCD)- L39054, 
Epidural Steroid Injections for Pain Management. 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules say a health plan must disclose to its enrollees in clear, accurate terms all cost sharing information 
(such as copayments, deductibles and coinsurance). You can find this rule at 42 CFR Section 422.111(a) and 
(b). 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules. The Plan 
contract also says that there is $1,000 deductible which applies to certain items and services. The Plan 
deductible applies to the knee and ankle x-rays. You can find this information on pages 4-2 and 4-3 of the 
Plan's 2022 Evidence of Coverage (EOC).
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
  
  The rules say that screening tests are excluded from coverage. The only exceptions are for the following 
services: 
 
1. screening mammography,  
2. colorectal cancer screening tests, 
3. screening pelvic exams,  
4. prostate cancer screening tests,  
5. glaucoma screening exams,  
6. ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA),  
7. cardiovascular disease screening tests,  
8. diabetes screening tests, and 
9. screening electrocardiograms, and 
10. certain other testing recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force and approved by 
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service. 
 
You can find this rule at 42 CFR Section 411.15(a)(1) and 42 CFR Section 410.64. 
 
The rules say that providers/suppliers must report services correctly. Procedures should be reported with the 
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code that describes the services performed. You can find this rule in 
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare National Correct Coding Initiative Policy Manual 
for Medicare Services, Chapter I(A). 
 
Payment may be made for a one-time ultrasound screening for AAA for beneficiaries who meet the following 
criteria:  
(i) receives a referral for such an ultrasound screening from the beneficiarys attending physician, physician 
assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist;  
(ii) receives such ultrasound screening from a provider or supplier who is authorized to provide covered 
ultrasound diagnostic services;  
(iii) has not been previously furnished such an ultrasound screening under the Medicare Program; and  
(vi) is included in at least one of the following risk categories-- 
     (I) has a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm;  
     (II) is a man age 65 to 75 who has smoked at least 100 cigarettes in his lifetime; or  
     (III) is a beneficiary who manifests other risk factors in a beneficiary category recommended for screening 
by the United States Preventive Services Task Force regarding AAA, as specified by the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services, through the national coverage determination process. 
 
Effective for services furnished on or after January 1, 2017, the following code and modifiers, are used for 
AAA screening services: 76706: Ultrasound, abdominal aorta, real time with image documentation, screening 
study for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). You can find this information in the Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services Internet-Only Manual, Publication 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 
18, Sections 110.2 and 110.3.2. 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules say that Medicare will pay for durable medical equipment that is mainly used to serve a medical 
purpose. Items such as hospital beds, respirators, wheelchairs and crutches are examples of equipment that are 
clearly used for medical purposes. Medicare will not pay for: 
 
1. Equipment that is primarily and customarily used for nonmedical purposes. Examples include air 
conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and electric air cleaners; 
2. Equipment used for a patients comfort or for the convenience of a person caring for the patient. Examples 
include elevators, stairway elevators, physical fitness equipment and self-help devices such as grab bars. You 
can find these rules in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-
02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Section 110.1. 
 
The rules also say that telephone alert systems are emergency communications systems and do not serve a 
diagnostic or therapeutic purpose. You can find this rule in the National Coverage Determination 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules say that a Medicare plan may restrict members to a network of providers as long as medically 
necessary covered care is accessible and available through this network. The rules say that the Plan must 
arrange for specialty care outside of the Plan provider network when network providers are unavailable or 
inadequate to meet a member's medical needs. You can find this rule at 42 CFR Section 422.112(a)(3). 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules. The Plan 
contract says that, with limited exceptions, members of the Plan must use network providers to get medical care 
and services. The only exceptions are emergencies, urgently needed care when the network is not available 
(generally, when the enrollee is out of the area), out-of-area dialysis services, and cases in which the Plan 
authorizes the use of out-of-network providers. You can find this information in Chapter 3 on pages 46-48 of 
the Plan's 2022 Evidence of Coverage.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules say that a Medicare plan may restrict members to a network of providers as long as medically 
necessary covered care is accessible and available through this network. The rules say that the Plan must 
arrange for specialty care outside of the Plan provider network when network providers are unavailable or 
inadequate to meet a member's medical needs. You can find this rule at 42 CFR Section 422.112(a)(3). 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules. The Plan 
contract says that, with limited exceptions, members of the Plan must use network providers to get medical care 
and services. The only exceptions are emergencies, urgently needed care when the network is not available 
(generally, when the enrollee is out of the area), out-of-area dialysis services, and cases in which the Plan 
authorizes the use of out-of-network providers. You can find this information in Chapter 3 on pages 43-44 of 
the Plan's 2022 Evidence of Coverage.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
  
  The rules say that Medicare plans must make reasonable and diligent efforts to gather and forward information 
to the Independent Review Entity (IRE). You can find this information in the Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Parts C & D Enrollee Grievances, Organization/Coverage 
Determinations, and Appeals Guidance Manual, Section 50.12.1. 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules. The Plan 
contract also says that for men aged 50 and older, a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test is covered once every 
12 months. There is no coinsurance, copayment, or deductible for an annual PSA test. You can find this 
information on page 4-60 of the Plan's 2021 Evidence of Coverage.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules say that computed tomography, of the heart, without contrast material, with quantitative evaluation of 
coronary calcium is never covered for screening, i.e., in the absence of signs, symptoms or disease. 
 
You can find this information at Local Coverage Determination-Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT) and 
Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) (L33559).   
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules say that plans may choose the networks of providers available to enrollees and may require enrollees 
to obtain authorization before receiving services. You can find this rule at 42 CFR Section 422.112(a) and in 
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-16, Medicare 
Managed Care Manual, Chapter 1, Section 20.2. 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules. The Plan 
contract says that, with limited exceptions, members of the Plan must use network providers to get medical care 
and services. The only exceptions are emergencies, urgently needed care when the network is not available 
(generally, when the enrollee is out of the area), out-of-area dialysis services, and cases in which the Plan 
authorizes the use of out-of-network providers. You can find this information on pages 47-49 of the Plan's 2021 
Evidence of Coverage.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules say that a Medicare plan may restrict members to a network of providers as long as medically 
necessary covered care is accessible and available through this network. The rules say that the Plan must 
arrange for specialty care outside of the Plan provider network when network providers are unavailable or 
inadequate to meet a member's medical needs. You can find this rule at 42 CFR Section 422.112(a)(3). 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules. The Plan 
contract says that, with limited exceptions, members of the Plan must use network providers to get medical care 
and services. The only exceptions are emergencies, urgently needed care when the network is not available 
(generally, when the enrollee is out of the area), out-of-area dialysis services, and cases in which the Plan 
authorizes the use of out-of-network providers. You can find this information in Chapter 3 on pages 45-46 of 
the Plan's 2022 Evidence of Coverage.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules say that providers/suppliers must report services correctly. Procedures should be reported with the 
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code that describes the services performed. You can find this rule in 
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare National Correct Coding Initiative Policy Manual 
for Medicare Services, Chapter I(A). 
 
The rules say that anesthesia services furnished in conjunction with and in support of a screening colonoscopy 
are reported with CPT code 00812 and coinsurance and deductible are waived. When a screening colonoscopy 
becomes a diagnostic colonoscopy, anesthesia services are reported with CPT code 00811 and with the -PT 
modifier; only the deductible is waived. You can find this rule in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 18, Section 
60.1.1. 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules say that plans may choose the networks of providers available to enrollees and may require enrollees 
to obtain authorization before receiving services. You can find this rule at 42 CFR Section 422.112(a) and in 
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-16, Medicare 
Managed Care Manual, Chapter 1, Section 20.2. 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules. The Plan 
contract says that, with limited exceptions, members of the Plan must use network providers to get medical care 
and services. The only exceptions are emergencies, urgently needed care when the network is not available 
(generally, when the enrollee is out of the area), out-of-area dialysis services, and cases in which the Plan 
authorizes the use of out-of-network providers. You can find this information on page 45 of the Plan's 2021 
Evidence of Coverage. 
 
The Plan contract also says that Some of the services listed in the Medical Benefits Chart are covered only if 
your doctor 
or other network provider gets approval in advance (sometimes called prior authorization) from us. Covered 
services that need approval in advance are marked in the Medical Benefits Chart by an asterisk (*). In addition, 
the following services not listed in the Benefits Chart may require prior authorization: inpatient rehabilitation 
services, spine surgery, bone growth stimulators, spinal cord stimulators, and molecular/genetic testing (for 
example - screening for cancer). You can find this on page 61 of the Plan's 2021 Evidence of Coverage.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules say that medically necessary services are those that are reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or 
treatment of an illness or injury. Medically necessary services include services to improve the functioning of a 
malformed body member. You can find this rule in the Social Security Act, Section 1862(a)(1)(A). 
 
The rules say that services that are not medically necessary are not covered. The rules also say that 
experimental and investigational devices are not covered. You can find this rule at 42 CFR Sections 411.15 and 
411.15(o). 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules. The Plan 
contract also says that experimental medical and surgical procedures, equipment and medications are not 
covered. May be covered by Original Medicare under a Medicare-approved clinical research study or by our 
plan. You can find this information on pages 104-108 of the Plan's 2022 Evidence of Coverage.