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 state thata stand-alone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for the treatment of co-morbid 
conditions related to obesity in Medicare beneficiaries will be covered only when all of the following 
conditions A-C are satisfied. 
        A. The beneficiary has a body-mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 35 kg/m2,  
        B. The beneficiary has at least one co-morbidity related to obesity, and  
        C. The beneficiary has been previously unsuccessful with medical treatment for obesity. 
You can find this information in Local Coverage Article (LCA): Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG)  
Medical Policy Article (A52447). 
 
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 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 on pages 59 and 60 of the Plan's 2023 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 all claims for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetic, and Orthotic Supplies (DMEPOS) 
require a written order/prescription from the treating practitioner. The supplier must keep the order and proof of 
delivery documentation on file. All services that do not have appropriate proof of delivery will be denied. The 
supplier should also obtain as much documentation from the patients medical record as they determine they 
need to assure themselves that coverage criteria for an item have been met. If the information in the patients 
medical record does not adequately support the medical necessity for the item, the supplier is liable for the 
dollar amount involved unless a properly executed Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) of possible denial has 
been obtained. You can find this rule in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only 
Manual, Publication 100-08, Medicare Program Integrity Manual, Chapter 5, Sections 5.2.1, 5.9 and 5.10. 
 
The rules state that to receive payment for Medicare-covered items or services from either Medicare or a 
Medicare beneficiary, a provider or supplier must be enrolled in the Medicare program. You can find this rule 
in 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 424.505. 
 
The rules say that bathtub seats are a comfort or convenience item, hygienic equipment, and not primarily 
medical in nature. You can find this information in the National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Durable 
Medical Equipment Reference List (280.1). 
 
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 repeat epidural steroid injection (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 information in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for Epidural Steroid 
Injections for Pain Management (L33906). 
 
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 a fixed height hospital bed (E0250, E0251, E0290, E0291, and E0328) is covered if one or 
more of the following criteria (1-4) are met: 
 
    1. The beneficiary has a medical condition which requires positioning of the body in ways not feasible with 
an ordinary bed. Elevation of the head/upper body less than 30 degrees does not usually require the use of a 
hospital bed, or 
    2. The beneficiary requires positioning of the body in ways not feasible with an ordinary bed in order to 
alleviate pain, or 
    3. The beneficiary requires the head of the bed to be elevated more than 30 degrees most of the time due to 
congestive heart failure, chronic pulmonary disease, or problems with aspiration, or 
    4. The beneficiary requires traction equipment, which can only be attached to a hospital bed. 
 
A semi-electric hospital bed (E0260) is covered if the beneficiary meets one of the criteria for a fixed height 
bed and requires frequent changes in body position and/or has an immediate need for a change in body 
position. 
 
You can find this information in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for Hospital Beds and Accessories 
(L33820). 
 
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 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 on page 83 of the Plan's 2023 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 pays only for ambulance transport. Ambulance vehicles must be designed and 
equipped to meet certain requirements. The vehicle must have emergency warning lights, sirens, 
communications equipment, a stretcher, linens, emergency medical supplies, oxygen equipment and other life-
saving equipment. The vehicle also must be staffed with two people, one of whom is certified as an emergency 
medical technician. Medicare will not pay for transport by vehicles that do not meet these requirements. You 
can find this rule at 42 CFR Section 410.41(a). 
 
The rules say that plans may offer a supplemental benefit to provide transport not covered by original 
Medicare. The transport offered must be used only for the enrollee's health care needs, such as transport to the 
doctors office. The transport must be arranged or directly provided by the health plan. The transport may not 
be used for other than health-related purposes. You can find this rule in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-16, Medicare Managed Care Manual, Chapter 4, Section 30.3. 
 
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 contract 
says that the Plan covers routine, non-ambulance transportation as a supplemental (extra) benefit. This benefit 
covers 72 one-way trips each year. Each one-way trip must not exceed 50 miles of driving distance. You can 
find this information on page 99 of the Plans 2023 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 repeat epidural steroid injections (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 the same scale* for at least three months.
7,8
 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 Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Epidural Steroid Injections for Pain 
Management (L39036). 
 
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 on page 63-64 of the Plan's 2023 
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 the provider, supplier, or beneficiary, as appropriate, must furnish to the intermediary or 
carrier sufficient information to determine whether payment is due and the amount of payment. You can find 
this rule at 42 CFR 424.5. 
 
The rules say for Medicare to consider coverage and payment for any item or service, the information 
submitted by the supplier or provider must corroborate the documentation in the beneficiary's medical 
documentation and confirm that Medicare coverage criteria have been met. You can see this in the Centers for 
Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-08, Medicare Program Integrity 
Manual Chapter 3, 3.3.2.1. 
 
The rules say that an extra heavy duty wheelchair (K0007) is covered if the beneficiary weighs more than 300 
pounds. You can find this information in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for Manual Wheelchair 
Bases (L33788). 
 
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 Medicare pays only for ambulance transport. Ambulance vehicles must be designed and 
equipped to meet certain requirements. The vehicle must have emergency warning lights, sirens, 
communications equipment, a stretcher, linens, emergency medical supplies, oxygen equipment and other life-
saving equipment. The vehicle also must be staffed with two people, one of whom is certified as an emergency 
medical technician. Medicare will not pay for transport by vehicles that do not meet these requirements. You 
can find this rule at 42 CFR Section 410.41(a). 
 
The rules say that plans may offer a supplemental benefit to provide transport not covered by original 
Medicare. The transport offered must be used only for the enrollee's health care needs, such as transport to the 
doctors office. The transport must be arranged or directly provided by the health plan. The transport may not 
be used for other than health-related purposes. You can find this rule in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-16, Medicare Managed Care Manual, Chapter 4, Section 30.3. 
 
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 contract 
says that the Plan covers routine, non-ambulance transportation as a supplemental (extra) benefit. This benefit 
covers up to 48 one-way trips per year. Each one-way trip must not exceed 50 miles of driving distance. You 
can find this information on pages 111-112 of the Plans 2023 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 special supplemental benefit for the chronically ill (SSBCI) is a supplemental benefit that 
has, with respect to a chronically ill enrollee, a reasonable expectation of improving or maintaining the health 
or overall function of the enrollee. The Plan must have written policies for determining enrollee eligibility and 
must document its determination that an enrollee is a chronically ill enrollee. You can find this information in 
42 CFR 422.102. 
 
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 if you have been diagnosed by a qualified provider with certain chronic conditions and you 
meet certain criteria, you may be eligible for additional benefits. You can find this information on pages 53 to 
55, and on page 105 of the Plan's 2023 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 Group 3 power wheelchair can be covered only for enrollees who have a mobility 
limitation that is due to: 
 
1. A neurological condition; 
2. Myopathy; or 
3. Congenital skeletal deformity. 
You can find this rule in Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Power Mobility Devices L33789 (eff 1/1/17). 
 
The rules say that an expandable controller is capable of accommodating one or more of the following 
additional functions: 
 
- Other types of proportional input devices (e.g., mini-proportional or compact joysticks, touchpads, chin 
control, head control, etc.) 
- Non-proportional input devices (e.g., sip and puff, head array, etc.) 
- Operate 3 or more powered seating actuators through the drive control. (Note: Control of the power seating 
actuators though the Control Input Device would require the use of an additional component, E2310 or E2311.) 
An expandable controller may also be able to operate one or more of the following: 
- A separate display (i.e., for alternate control devices) 
- Other electronic devices (e.g., control of an augmentative speech device or computer through the chair's drive 
control) 
- An attendant control 
 
You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Article: Wheelchair Options/Accessories - Policy Article 
(A52504). 
 
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.
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. 
 
PVA (Percutaneous Vertebroplasty (PVP) or Kyphoplasty (PKP)) is covered in patients with BOTH the 
following: 
1. Inclusion criteria (ALL are required): 
a. Acute (less than 6 weeks) or subacute (6-12 weeks) osteoporotic VCF (T1  L5), based on 
symptom onset, and documented by advanced imaging (bone marrow edema on MRI or bone-
scan/SPECT/CT uptake) 
1-3,10,25,27
 
b. Symptomatic (ONE): 
i. Hospitalized with severe pain (Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) or Visual Analog Scale 
(VAS) pain score greater than or equal to 8) 
4-7
 
ii. Non-hospitalized with moderate to severe pain (NRS or VAS greater than or equal to5) 
despite optimal non-surgical management (NSM)
10
 (ONE): 
1. Worsening pain 
2. Stable to improved pain (but NRS or VAS still greater than or equal to 5) (with 
greater than or equal to 2 of the following): 
A. Progression of vertebral body height loss 
B. Greater than 25% vertebral body height reduction 
C. Kyphotic deformity 
D. Severe impact of VCF on daily functioning (Roland Morris Disability 
Questionnaire (RDQ) greater than 17 
You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation 
(PVA) for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture (VCF) (L34228). 
 
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.