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

Citations used in this letter come from Section 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations which you will findabbreviated as 42 CFR with the corresponding section numbers, i.e., 42 CFR Sections 423.578, 423.100.The prescription drug benefit offered by the Part D Plan must meet certain requirements pertaining to theannual deductible, the initial coverage limit, the coverage gap and catastrophic coverage. For the initialcoverage limit, the rules provide for a benefit of shared coverage of costs between the enrollee and plan. Anenrollee in a Part D Plan may be subject to annual deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments (includingtiered copayments) specified by the plan. 42 CFR Section 423.104.The deductible stage is the first payment stage of the enrollee's drug coverage. During the deductible stage,the Plan requires that the enrollee pays the full cost of drugs before the Plan will pay a share of the cost.Once the enrollee has met the deductible amount of $435, the enrollee moves into the initial coverage stage.If an enrollee pays the full cost of a prescription, the enrollee may submit a request for reimbursement withproof of payment to ask the Plan to pay its share of the cost. Levothyroxine 75 mcg is on the Plan's 2020formulary and was classified as a Tier 2 drug. Please refer to the Plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC) andformulary.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

Citations used in this letter come from Section 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations which you will findabbreviated as 42 CFR with the corresponding section numbers, i.e., 42 CFR Sections 423.578, 423.100.A Part D Plan may establish tiered cost-sharing for drugs on its formulary. The Plan groups covered drugsinto different cost-sharing levels or tiers. Medicare rules permit an enrollee to request a tiering exception tocover a higher cost-sharing tiered drug at a lower cost-sharing tier level so long as there is a drug on alower cost-sharing tier that is approved for treating the same condition that the requested higher cost -sharing tiered drug is being used to treat. However, Medicare rules also permit a Plan to design its tieringexception procedures so that a Plan does not have to grant a tiering exception for brand or biologic drugs ifthe lower cost-sharing tier or tiers only contain generic drugs approved for treating the same condition. 42CFR Sections 423.4; 423.578(a); 423.578(a)(6); 423.578(c)(3)(ii); Parts C & D Grievances,Organization/Coverage Determinations, and Appeals Guidance Manual, Section 40.5.1.The prescription drug benefit offered by the Part D Plan must meet criteria requirements pertaining to theannual deductible, the initial coverage limit, the coverage gap and catastrophic coverage. For the initialcoverage limit, the rules provide for a benefit of shared coverage of costs between the enrollee and Plan.An enrollee in a Part D Plan may be subject to annual deductibles, coinsurance and copayments (includingtiered copayments) specified by the Plan. 42 CFR Section 423.104.Each drug on the Plan's formulary is assigned to a cost-sharing tier. The Part D Plan contract allows anenrollee to request an exception to the Plan's cost-sharing structure to pay less for a drug. This is called atiering exception. The Plan does not provide tiering exceptions for brand or biologic drugs if the lowercost-sharing tier or tiers contain only generic drugs approved for treating the same condit ion. Please refer tothe Plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC).
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

Citations used in this letter come from Section 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations which you will findabbreviated as 42 CFR with the corresponding section numbers, i.e., 42 CFR Sections 423.578, 423.100.The prescription drug benefit offered by the Part D Plan must meet certain requirements pertaining to theannual deductible, the initial coverage limit, the coverage gap and catastrophic coverage. For the initialcoverage limit, the rules provide for a benefit of shared coverage of costs between the enrollee and plan. Anenrollee in a Part D Plan may be subject to annual deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments (includingtiered copayments) specified by the plan. 42 CFR Section 423.104.The Part D Plan enrollee may pay part of the cost of a covered drug during the initial coverage period as acopayment or coinsurance. The amount of the copayment or coinsurance will vary depending on the drug'stier and place of purchase. If an enrollee pays the full cost of a prescription, the enrollee may submit arequest for reimbursement with proof of payment to ask the Plan to pay its share of the cost. The Planrequired a $75 copayment for up to a 30 day supply of a Tier 4 drug purchased in 2020 from a standardretail pharmacy. Please refer to the Plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC) and formulary.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 Citations used in this letter come from Section 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations which you will find abbreviated as 42 CFR with the corresponding section numbers, i.e., 42 CFR Sections 423.578, 423.100.Medicare law defines those drugs that may be covered under Part D. A covered prescription drug must be used for a medically accepted indication. A medically accepted indication means a use that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or a use supported by one or more citations in the drug compendia approved by Medicare. Medically accepted indications do not include uses in research or uses described in peer-reviewed medical literature. Please refer to Social Security Act, Sections 1860D-2(e)(1) and 1927(k)(6); and 42 CFR Section 423.100. A Part D plan must grant an exception for a drug that is not on its formulary whenever it determines that the drug is medically necessary, consistent with the prescriber's statement, and that the drug would be covered but for the fact that it is not on the formulary. The statement must show that all of the covered drugs on any tier of the plan's formulary for treatment of the enrollee's condition would not be as effective as the non-formulary drug or would have adverse effects for the enrollee. 42 CFR Section 423.578(b).If a drug is not on the formulary (drug list), an enrollee can ask the Plan to make an exception and cover the drug. The Plan will make an exception for coverage if it determines that the requested drug is medically necessary, consistent with the prescriber's statement. Please refer to the Plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC).
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

Citations used in this letter come from Section 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations which you will findabbreviated as 42 CFR with the corresponding section numbers, i.e., 42 CFR Sections 423.578, 423.100.The Medicare Part D law states that an enrollee is not allowed to request a tiering exception for a drugbeing covered under the non-formulary exception rules. 42 CFR Section 423.578(c)(4)(iii).The Part D Plan contract states that the Plan does not provide tiering exceptions for off-formulary drugs which it has approved coverage for through a formulary exception. Please refer to the Plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC).
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

Citations used in this letter come from Section 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations which you will find abbreviated as 42 CFR with the corresponding section numbers, i.e., 42 CFR Sections 423.578, 423.100.Part D sponsors are required to coordinate with other providers of prescription drug coverage with respect to the payment of premiums and coverage, as well as coverage supplementing the benefits available under Part D. The Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) specified that these coordination requirements must relate to the following elements: (1) enrollment file sharing; (2) claims processing and payment; (3) claims reconciliation reports; (4) application of the protection against high out-of-pocket expenditures by tracking true out-of-pocket (TrOOP) expenditures; and (5) other processes that CMS determines. Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Manual (CMS Pub. 100-18) Chapter 14, ?20.The Plan contract states that they are required to follow rules set by Medicare to make sure that the enrollee is using all of their coverage in combination when they get covered drugs from the Plan. This is called coordination of benefits because it involves coordinating the drug benefits the enrollee gets from the Plan with any other drug benefits available. When the enrollee has additional coverage, how the Plan will coordinate depends on the situation. Sometimes, a group health plan must provide health benefits to the enrollee before the Part D Plan will provide benefits. Please refer to the Plan's Evidence of Coverage
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

Citations used in this letter come from Section 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations which you will findabbreviated as 42 CFR with the corresponding section numbers, i.e., 42 CFR Sections 423.578, 423.100.Medicare law defines those drugs that are eligible to be covered under the prescription drug benefit.Medicare law specifically excludes coverage for any drug for which payment would be available underParts A or B of Medicare for that individual. Social Security Act, Section 1860D-2(e)(2)(B).Medicare Part B provides coverage of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) for the treatment of primaryimmune deficiency diseases (ICD-10 diagnosis codes D80.0, D80.2, D80.3, D80.4, D80.5, D80.6, D80.7,D81.0, D81.1, D81.2, D81.5, D81.6, D81.7, D81.89, D81.9, D82.0, D82.1, D82.4, D83.0, D83.1, D83.2,D83.8, D83.9, G11.3) in the home. IVIG is covered under this benefit when the patient has a diagnosedprimary immune deficiency disease, it is administered in the home of a patient with a diagnosed primaryimmune deficiency disease, and the physician determines that administration of the derivative in thepatient's home is medically appropriate. Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Section 50.6; CignaGovernment Services Article for Intravenous Immune Globulin (A52509). National Government ServicesArticle for Intravenous Immune Globulin (A52509). Noridian Administrative Services Article forIntravenous Immune Globulin (A52509).A Part D plan must grant an exception for a drug that is not on its formulary whenever it determines thatthe drug is medically necessary, consistent with the prescriber's statement, and that the drug would becovered but for the fact that it is not on the formulary. The statement must show that all of the covereddrugs on any tier of the plan's formulary for treatment of the enrollee's condition would not be as effectiveas the non-formulary drug or would have adverse effects for the enrollee. 42 CFR Sections 423.578(b) and423.578(b)(5)(i).The Part D Plan contract states that the Plan cannot cover drugs that would be covered under Medicare PartA or Part B. If a drug is not on the formulary (drug list), an enrollee can ask the Plan to make an exceptionand cover the drug. The Plan will make an exception for coverage if it determines that the requested drug ismedically necessary, consistent with the prescriber's statement. Please refer to the Plan's Evidence ofCoverage (EOC).
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

Citations used in this letter come from Section 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations which you will findabbreviated as 42 CFR with the corresponding section numbers, i.e., 42 CFR Sections 423.578, 423.100.Medicare law defines those drugs that may be covered under Part D. A covered prescription drug must beused for a medically accepted indication. A medically accepted indication means a use that is approvedby the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or a use supported by one or more citations in the drugcompendia approved by Medicare. Medically accepted indications do not include uses in research or usesdescribed in peer-reviewed medical literature. Please refer to Social Security Act, Sections 1860D-2(e)(1)and 1927(k)(6); and 42 CFR Section 423.100.For a drug to be covered under Medicare Part D, it must meet the definition of a Part D drug. The SocialSecurity Act generally defines a Part D drug as a drug product that meets the following requirements:-It requires a prescription for dispensing; and-It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and effectiveness; and-It is prescribed for a medically accepted indication; and-It is not otherwise excluded from coverage under Part D law and rules.See Social Security Act, Sections 1860D-2(e)(1) and 1927(k)(2)(A)(i)-(iii); and Medicare PrescriptionDrug Benefit Manual, Chapter 6, Section 10.1.The definition of a Part D drug includes only those prescription drugs that are approved by the FDA forsafety and effectiveness. For a drug to be approved by the FDA, the manufacturer of the drug must file aNew Drug Application (NDA) or Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the FDA's Center forDrug Evaluation and Research (CDER). Medicare Part D does not pay for drugs that are not FDA approvedprescription drugs. See Social Security Act, Sections 1860D-2(e)(1), 1927(k)(2), and 1927(b)(3).The Part D Plan can only cover drugs prescribed for a medically accepted indication. The Plan does notcover drugs/items excluded from Medicare Part D coverage. If you purchase drugs/items that are excluded,you must pay for them yourself. Please refer to the Plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC).
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

Citations used in this letter come from Section 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations which you will find abbreviated as 42 CFR with the corresponding section numbers, i.e., 42 CFR Sections 423.578, 423.100.A Part D plan is permitted to use a number of different tools to manage its formulary. One of these tools is known as prior authorization. This process requires an enrollee to obtain coverage approval for a drug before the drug is dispensed and covered by the plan. 70 Federal Register No. 18, issued January 28, 2005 (Preamble to Final Rule).The Part D Plan can only cover drugs prescribed for a medically accepted indication. The Plan requires prior approval (also called prior authorization) before covering some prescription drugs. If prior approval is not obtained, the Plan may not cover the drug. Please refer to the Plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC)
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

Citations used in this letter come from Section 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations which you will findabbreviated as 42 CFR with the corresponding section numbers, i.e., 42 CFR Sections 423.578, 423.100.The Medicare Coverage Gap Discount Program provides manufacturer discounts on brand nameprescription drugs to Part D enrollees who have reached the coverage gap. These are enrollees who are inthe donut hole and are not participating in the Extra Help program with Medicare. However, brand namedrugs are only eligible for coverage under Part D if their manufacturers have signed agreements with theCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide a discount on all of their brand name drugs. Ifa drug manufacturer does not sign a discount agreement with CMS, its brand name drugs will not becovered under Part D. Social Security Act, Sections 1860D-14A and 1860D-43.The Plan does not cover drugs/items excluded from Medicare Part D coverage. If you purchase drugs/itemsthat are excluded, you must pay for them yourself. Please refer to the Plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC).
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

Citations used in this letter come from Section 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations which you will findabbreviated as 42 CFR with the corresponding section numbers, i.e., 42 CFR Sections 423.578, 423.100.A Part D Plan may establish tiered cost-sharing for drugs on its formulary. The Plan groups covered drugs intodifferent cost-sharing levels or tiers. Medicare rules permit an enrollee to request a tiering exception to cover ahigher cost-sharing tiered drug at a lower cost-sharing tier level so long as there is a drug on a lower costsharingtier that is approved for treating the same condition that the requested higher cost-sharing tiered drug isbeing used to treat. However, Medicare rules also permit a Plan to design its tiering exception procedures so thata Plan does not have to grant a tiering exception for brand or biologic drugs if the lower cost-sharing tier or tiersonly contain generic drugs approved for treating the same condition. 42 CFR Sections 423.4; 423.578(a);423.578(a)(6); 423.578(c)(3)(ii); Parts C & D Grievances, Organization/Coverage Determinations, and AppealsGuidance Manual, Section 40.5.1.The prescription drug benefit offered by the Part D Plan must meet criteria requirements pertaining to the annualdeductible, the initial coverage limit, the coverage gap and catastrophic coverage. For the initial coverage limit,the rules provide for a benefit of shared coverage of costs between the enrollee and Plan. An enrollee in a Part DPlan may be subject to annual deductibles, coinsurance and copayments (including tiered copayments) specifiedby the Plan. 42 CFR Section 423.104.Each drug on the Plan's formulary is assigned to a cost-sharing tier. The Part D Plan contract allows an enrolleeto request an exception to the Plan's cost-sharing structure to pay less for a drug. This is called a tieringexception. The prescriber must provide medical reasons to support a tiering exception. The Plan cannot grant atiering exception for any drug in the specialty cost-sharing tier. The Plan cannot grant a tiering exception for anon-formulary drug being covered under an exception to the formulary. Please refer to the Plan's Evidence ofCoverage (EOC).
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

We asked our Physician Reviewer to determine whether the Part D Plan was correct in denying the request for a tiering exception for Tresiba Flextouch 100 unit/ml. The drug is requested to treat diabetes. The drug is a brand drug on Tier 3 of the Plan's formulary. You did not state why all available lower tier alternatives on the Plan's formulary to treat the enrollee's condition (1) would not be as effective for the enrollee as the requested drug and/or (2) would have adverse effects for the enrollee. Therefore, an exception to these criteria is not supported. Our Physician Reviewer's opinion is that tiering exception criteria are not met.Medicare rules require a Plan to grant an exception to its tiering structure whenever it determines that the higher cost-sharing tiered drug for treatment of the enrollee's condition is medically necessary consistent with the prescriber's statement. Our Physician Reviewer's opinion is that tiering exception criteria are not met. Therefore, our decision is the Plan is not required to provide a tiering exception for Tresiba.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

Citations used in this letter come from Section 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations which you will find abbreviated as 42 CFR with the corresponding section numbers, i.e., 42 CFR Sections 423.578, 423.100.The prescription drug benefit offered by the Part D Plan must meet certain requirements pertaining to the annual deductible, the initial coverage limit, the coverage gap and catastrophic coverage. For the initial coverage limit, the rules provide for a benefit of shared coverage of costs between the enrollee and plan. An enrollee in a Part D Plan may be subject to annual deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments (including tiered copayments) specified by the plan. 42 CFR Section 423.104.The Plan will pay its share of the cost for covered drugs and the enrollee will pay the other part during the initial coverage stage. The amount of the copayment or coinsurance will vary depending on the drug's tier and place of purchase. During the deductible stage, the enrollee is responsible for the full cost of the drugs. The enrollee remains in the deductible stage until drug payments total $435. Once the enrollee has met the deductible amount of $435, the enrollee moves into the initial coverage stage. Atovaquone 750 mg/5 mL is on Tier 5 of the Plan's 2020 formulary with a 25-27% coinsurance amount for up to a 30 day supply when purchased from a preferred retail pharmacy. Once total drug costs reach $4,020, the enrollee enters the coverage gap stage. Please refer to the Plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC).
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

Citations used in this letter come from Section 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations which you will findabbreviated as 42 CFR with the corresponding section numbers, i.e., 42 CFR Sections 423.578, 423.100.A Part D Plan is permitted to use a number of different tools to manage its formulary. One of these tools isknown as prior authorization. This process requires an enrollee to obtain coverage approval for a drugbefore the drug is dispensed and covered by the plan. 70 Federal Register No. 18, issued January 28, 2005(Preamble to Final Rule).Formulary use includes the application of cost utilization tools, including step-therapy, dosage limitationsand therapeutic substitution. 42 CFR Section 423.578(b)(iii). The except ions process extends to coveragerequests to set aside cost utilization rules for non-formulary drugs. A Part D plan must grant an exceptionwhenever it determines that the drug is medically necessary, consistent with the prescriber's statement, andthat the drug would be covered but for the fact that it is subject to cost utilization rules. 42 CFR Section423.578(b). The statement must show that all of the covered drugs on any tier of the plan's formulary fortreatment of the enrollee's condition would not be as effective as the drug at issue, or would have adverseeffects for the enrollee. Parts C & D Enrollee Grievances, Organization/Coverage Determinations, andAppeals Guidance Manual, Section 40.5.3.The Part D Plan can only cover drugs prescribed for a medically accepted indication. The Plan requiresprior approval (also called prior authorization) before covering some prescription drugs. If prior approval isnot obtained, the Plan may not cover the drug. A Plan must grant an exception to prior approval rules if itdetermines that the requested drug is medically necessary, consistent with the prescriber's statement. Pleaserefer to the Plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC).
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

Citations used in this letter come from Section 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations which you will find abbreviated as 42 CFR with the corresponding section numbers, i.e., 42 CFR Sections 423.578, 423.100.The prescription drug benefit offered by the Part D Plan must meet certain requirements pertaining to the annual deductible, the initial coverage limit, the coverage gap and catastrophic coverage. For the initial coverage limit, the rules provide for a benefit of shared coverage of costs between the enrollee and plan. An enrollee in a Part D Plan may be subject to annual deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments (including tiered copayments) specified by the plan. 42 CFR Section 423.104.The Part D Plan enrollee may pay part of the cost of a covered drug during the initial coverage period as a copayment or coinsurance. The amount of the copayment or coinsurance will vary depending on the drug's tier and place of purchase. If an enrollee pays the full cost of a prescription, the enrollee may submit a request for reimbursement with proof of payment to ask the Plan to pay its share of the cost. The Plan required an $8.00 copayment for up to a 30 day supply of a Tier 1 drug purchased in 2020 from a preferred retail. Fluoxetine HCL 20 mg was on the Plan's 2020 formulary and was classified as a Tier 1 drug. Please refer to the Plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC) and formulary.