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 that Medicare may cover a drug or biological if it is safe and effective and otherwise reasonable and necessary. You can find this rule in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Section 50.4.1.   Medicare rules also allow the plan to use step therapy. This is the process of beginning drug therapy for a medical condition with "preferred" (or more cost-effective) on-formulary drug alternative(s) and progressing to other drug therapies only as necessary. A plan must grant an exception to its step therapy rules if it determines that the requested drug is medically necessary, consistent with the prescriber's statement. The statement must show that the step therapy drugs: have been ineffective in treating the enrollee; or are likely to be ineffective or adversely affect the drug's effectiveness or patient compliance; or are likely to cause an adverse reaction or other harm to the enrollee.   Medicare Advantage plans should ensure that new step therapy requirements do not disrupt ongoing Part B drug therapies for enrollees. Step therapy may only be applied to new prescriptions or administrations of Part B drugs for enrollees that are not actively receiving the affected medication. You can find this information at 42 CFR Sections 422.2 and 422.136.  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 contract says that the Plan has step therapy requirements for certain Medicare Part B covered drugs/biologicals. Enrollees may be required to try a preferred drug before the Plan will approve the requested medication. You can find this information in Chapter 4 of the Plan's 2021 Evidence of Coverage, in the section entitled "Medicare Part B prescription drugs".
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 43-47 of the Plan's 2021 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 Medicare pays for air ambulance services only if the enrollee's medical condition is such that transportation by either basic, the provision of medically necessary supplies and services or advanced life support, an emergency medical technician (EMT) intermediate or EMT-Paramedic ground ambulance is not appropriate. Air ambulance services may be covered only if:  1. certain vehicle and crew requirements are met;  2. the enrollee's medical condition needed immediate and rapid ambulance transport that could not have been provided by ground ambulance; and   3. either the point of pickup is not accessible by ground vehicle or great distances or other obstacles are involved in getting the patient to the nearest hospital with appropriate facilities.  You can find this rule in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 10, Sections 10.4, and 10.4.1, and 30.1.1.  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 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. The Plan contract also says that you must obtain authorization from the plan prior to seeking care from an out-of-network provider. You can find this information in Chapter 3 on page 43 of the Plan's 2021 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 Medicare may cover a drug or biological if it is safe and effective and otherwise reasonable and necessary. You can find this rule in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Section 50.4.1.   Medicare rules also allow the plan to use step therapy. This is the process of beginning drug therapy for a medical condition with "preferred" (or more cost-effective) on-formulary drug alternative(s) and progressing to other drug therapies only as necessary. A plan must grant an exception to its step therapy rules if it determines that the requested drug is medically necessary, consistent with the prescriber's statement. The statement must show that the step therapy drugs: have been ineffective in treating the enrollee; or are likely to be ineffective or adversely affect the drug's effectiveness or patient compliance; or are likely to cause an adverse reaction or other harm to the enrollee.   Medicare Advantage plans should ensure that new step therapy requirements do not disrupt ongoing Part B drug therapies for enrollees. Step therapy may only be applied to new prescriptions or administrations of Part B drugs for enrollees that are not actively receiving the affected medication. You can find this information at 42 CFR Sections 422.2 and 422.136.  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 contract says that the Plan has step therapy requirements for certain Medicare Part B covered drugs/biologicals. Enrollees may be required to try a preferred drug before the Plan will approve the requested medication. You can find this information in Chapter 4 of the Plan's 2021 Evidence of Coverage, the section entitled "Medicare Part B prescription drugs".
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 page 39 of the Plan's 2021 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 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. [e.g. The Plan contract also says that acupuncture services are not covered by the Plan. You can find this information on page 27 of the Plan's 2021 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 state that FDG PET is covered for the determination of myocardial viability following an inconclusive single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) test from July 1, 2001, through September 30, 2002. Only full ring PET scanners are covered from July 1, 2001, through December 31, 2001. However, as of January 1, 2002, full and partial ring scanners are covered.  Beginning October 1, 2002, Medicare covers FDG PET for the determination of myocardial viability as a primary or initial diagnostic study prior to revascularization, or following an inconclusive SPECT. Studies performed by full and partial ring scanners are covered.  Limitations: In the event a patient receives a SPECT test with inconclusive results, a PET scan may be covered. However, if a patient receives a FDG PET study with inconclusive results, a follow up SPECT test is not covered.  Documentation that these conditions are met should be maintained by the referring physician in the beneficiary's medical record, as is normal business practice.  You can find this information in the National Coverage Determination (NCD) FDG PET for Myocardial Viability (220.6.8).  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 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 8 of the 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 Medicare Advantage (MA) plans may specify brands and manufacturers as preferred and charge lower cost-sharing for the preferred brands or may limit the durable medical equipment (DME) to only those preferred brands and manufacturers, as long as the following conditions are met (42 CFR 422.100(l)):  1. The MA plan provides all categories of DME covered under original Medicare Part B; 2. The MA plan ensures that enrollees have access to all medically necessary (including non-preferred) DME products or brands; 3. The MA plan's contracted suppliers provide access to all preferred DME brands; 4. During an enrollee's first year of enrollment in an MA plan, if the enrollee requests, the plan will provide a 90-day transition period (commencing with the initial time of enrollment) during which the plan provides (and repairs, as applicable) non-preferred DME brands furnished in the previous year; 5. Although the MA plan may add brands to its preferred formulary during the year, it may not remove any brands mid-year; 6. The MA plan treats denials of non-preferred DME products or brands as organization determinations; 7. The MA plan discloses DME coverage limitations and appeal rights in the case of a denial of a non-preferred DME product or brand with the Evidence of Coverage (EOC) and Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC) and on its website; and 8. The MA plan provides full coverage, without limitation on brand and manufacturer, to DME categories or subcategories annually determined by Medicare to require full coverage.  You can find this information in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-16, Medicare Managed Care Manual, Chapter 4, Section 10.12.2.  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 the quantity of test strips (A4253) that are covered depends on the usual medical needs of the beneficiary and whether or not the beneficiary is being treated with insulin, regardless of their diagnostic classification as having Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Coverage of testing supplies is based on the following guidelines:  1. Usual utilization  -For a beneficiary who is not currently being treated with insulin administrations, up to 100 test strips and up to 100 lancets every 3 months are covered -For a beneficiary who is currently being treated with insulin administrations, up to 300 test strips and up to 300 lancets every 3 months are covered  2. High utilization  -For a beneficiary who is not currently being treated with insulin administrations, more than 100 test strips and more than 100 lancets every 3 months are covered if criteria (a) - (c) below are met -For a beneficiary who is currently being treated with insulin administrations, more than 300 test strips and more than 300 lancets every 3 months are covered if criteria (a) - (c) below are met. a. Basic coverage criteria (1)-(2) listed above for all home glucose monitors and related accessories and supplies are met; and,  b. Within the six (6) months prior to ordering quantities of strips and lancets that exceed the utilization guidelines, the treating practitioner has had an in-person visit with the beneficiary to evaluate their diabetes control and their need for the specific quantity of supplies that exceeds the usual utilization amounts described above; and,  c. Every six (6) months, for continued dispensing of quantities of testing supplies that exceed the usual utilization amounts, the treating practitioner must verify adherence to the high utilization testing regimen.  You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) - Glucose Monitors (L33822) - Effective July 18, 2021.  The rules say that if quantities of test strips or lancets that exceed the utilization guidelines are provided and criteria (a) - (c) are not met, the amount in excess will be denied as not reasonable and necessary. You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) - Glucose Monitors (L33822) - Effective July 18, 2021.  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).  The rules say that a copayment is a fixed amount charged to an enrollee on a per-service basis. The rules say that coinsurance is a fixed percentage of the total amount paid for a health care service that can be charged to an enrollee on a per-service basis. You can find this rule at 42 CFR Section 422.2.  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 enrollees must pay a $160 copayment per day for inpatient hospital services. You can find this information on page 84 of the Plan's 2021 Evidence of Coverage.  The Plan contract says that enrollees must pay a $225 copayment for advanced imaging services. You can find this information on page 90 of the 2021 Evidence of Coverage.  The Plan contract says that enrollees must pay a $325 copayment for outpatient surgery. You can find this information on page 94 of the 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 state that Facet Joint Interventions generally consist of four types of procedures: Intraarticular (IA) Facet Joint Injections, Medial Branch Blocks (MBB), Radiofrequency Ablations (RFA) and Facet cyst rupture/aspiration:  Facet Joint Interventions are considered medically reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain in patients who meet ALL the following criteria:      Moderate to severe chronic neck or low back pain, predominantly axial, that causes functional deficit measured on pain or disability scale*     Pain present for minimum of 3 months with documented failure to respond to noninvasive conservative management (as tolerated)     Absence of untreated radiculopathy or neurogenic claudication (except for radiculopathy caused by facet joint synovial cyst)     There is no non-facet pathology per clinical assessment or radiology studies that could explain the source of the patient's pain, including but not limited to fracture, tumor, infection, or significant deformity.  *Pain assessment must be performed and documented at baseline, after each diagnostic procedure using the same pain scale for each assessment. A disability scale must also be obtained at baseline to be used for functional assessment (if patient qualifies for treatment).  You can find this information in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Facet Joint Interventions for Pain Management (L35936).  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 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 in chapter 3, on page 28 of the Plan's 2021 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 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 on page 28 of the 2021 Evidence of Coverage.