Persius/hicric huggingface dataset:
Appeal type: Prescription Drug
Decision: Favorable

Medicare rules require a Part D Plan to issue a decision regarding coverage within the specified timeframe. If the Plan does not make a timely decision, this is considered a denial. The Plan forwarded this case to us as required by Medicare rules because it did not make a timely decision.You asked the Plan to provide reimbursement for the Shingrix vaccine and its administration fee received March 5, 2020. The Plan did not grant this request. We received this case to conduct an independent review.The Plan covers prescriptions filled at an out-of-network pharmacy only in certain limited circumstances. In this case, you received the Shingrix vaccine from your prescriber's office. The Shingrix vaccine is a Part D eligible vaccine on the Plan's 2020 Formulary. Proof of payment for the vaccine and its administration fee has been verified. The Plan's out-of-network coverage rules were followed. Therefore, our decision is the Plan is required to provide coverage and reimbursement for the Shingrix vaccine and its administration fee received March 5, 2020 from your Provider.
Appeal type: Prescription Drug
Decision: Unfavorable

You asked the Plan to provide additional reimbursement for the Shignrix vaccine received March 9, 2020. The Plan did not grant this request. We received this case to conduct an independent review.The Part D Plan covers prescriptions filled at an out-of-network pharmacy only in certain limited circumstances. The Plan submitted documentation showing that they approved coverage. They calculated reimbursement based on the total cost of the drug, less your required copayment amount, and less the difference between what the Plan normally pays for the drug and what the out-of-network pharmacy (i.e., hospital or provider's office) charged you. The documentation submitted shows you were not charged an administration fee. The $180 charged was the total cost of the vaccine. The case record indicates that the Plan provided coverage and reimbursement in accordance with the Part D Plan rules for out-of-network reimbursement. Therefore, our decision is the Plan is not required to provide any additional reimbursement for the Shignrix vaccine received March 9, 2020.
Appeal type: Prescription Drug
Decision: Favorable

Medicare rules require a Part D Plan to issue a decision regarding coverage within the specified timeframe. If the Plan does not make a timely decision, this is considered a denial. The Plan forwarded this case to us as required by Medicare rules because it did not make a timely decision.You asked the Plan to provide reimbursement for the Hepatitis A vaccine received July 1, 2020. The Plan did not grant this request. We received this case to conduct an independent review.The Plan covers prescriptions filled at an out-of-network pharmacy only in certain limited circumstances. In this case, you received the Hepatitis A vaccine from your prescriber's office. You requested reimbursement from the Part D Plan. The Plan did not process the request. The request include proof of payment for the vaccine. The Plan indicates the National Drug Code (NDC) has not been provided. Medicare rules state that when a Plan sponsor could acquire missing information, such as the NDC number, by contacting the enrollee's pharmacist, physician, or other prescriber, it should do so instead of relying on the enrollee to provide the information. The Plan may utilize the remainder of the 30-day payment period after approval is granted to obtain missing information in order to determine the amount of reimbursement to be provided. Thus, the Plans reimbursement rules as stated in the Evidence of Coverage have been met, and the Plan should obtain missing NDC information in order to process reimbursement.The Plan's out-of-network coverage rules were followed. Therefore, our decision is the Plan is required to provide coverage and reimbursement for the Hepatitis A vaccine received July 1, 2020.
Appeal type: Prescription Drug
Decision: Favorable

Medicare rules require a Part D Plan to issue a decision regarding coverage within the specified timeframe. If the Plan does not make a timely decision, this is considered a denial. The Plan forwarded this case to us as required by Medicare rules because it did not make a timely decision.You asked the Plan to provide reimbursement for Cyclobenzaprine 10 mg, Gabapentin (100 mg, 300 mg and 800 mg), Hydromorphone 2 mg, Prednisone IR or DR 1 mg, Levothyroxine (25, 312 mcg, 50 mcg and 88 mcg), Metoprolol Succinate ER 50 mg, Morphine 15 mg and Rivaroxaban 20 mg received January 22, 2020 and January 23, 2020. The Plan did not grant this request. We received this case to conduct an independent review.The Plan covers prescriptions filled at an out-of-network pharmacy only in certain limited circumstances. In this case, you were at the hospital in January 2020. You received several Part D eligible, self-administered drugs during this stay. You requested reimbursement from the Part D Plan. The request includes an itemized statement from the hospital. Proof of payment for the self-administered drug portion of the bill has been established. The Plan's out-of-network coverage rules were followed. Therefore, our decision is the Plan is required to provide coverage and reimbursement for Cyclobenzaprine 10 mg, Gabapentin (100 mg, 300 mg and 800 mg), Hydromorphone 2 mg, Prednisone IR or DR 1 mg, Levothyroxine (25, 312 mcg, 50 mcg and 88 mcg), Metoprolol Succinate ER 50 mg, Morphine 15 mg and Rivaroxaban 20 mg received January 22, 2020 and January 23, 2020.
Appeal type: Prescription Drug
Decision: Unfavorable

You asked the Plan to provide a tiering exception for Invokana. The Plan did not grant this request. We received this case to conduct an independent review.Medicare law and Plan rules do not allow tiering exceptions for non-formulary drugs being covered through a formulary exception. The documentation in the record shows that Invokana is currently being covered for the enrollee through a formulary exception. Therefore, our decision is the Plan is not required to provide a tiering exception for Invokana.
Appeal type: Prescription Drug
Decision: Partially Favorable

Medicare rules require a Part D Plan to issue a decision regarding coverage within the specified timeframe. If the Plan does not make a timely decision, this is considered a denial. The Plan forwarded this case to us as required by Medicare rules because it did not make a timely decision.You asked the Plan to cover and provide reimbursement for the Engerix B, Boostrix, Typhim VI and Ipol vaccines received February 27, 2020. The Plan did not grant this request. We received this case to conduct an independent review.Engerix B vaccineMedicare law specifically excludes coverage for any drug for which payment would be available under Parts A or B of Medicare for that individual. Medicare law states that Medicare Part B pays for the Hepatitis B vaccine for the prevention of illness for those individuals who are at high or intermediate risk of contracting Hepatitis B.Drugs which are eligible for Part B coverage are excluded from Part D coverage by Medicare law. In this case, documentation in the record indicates you received the Engerix B vaccine prior to out of country travel. There is no indication that the enrollee is at high or intermediate risk of contracting Hepatitis B. Additionally, at the time of purchase, Engerix B was not on the Plan's 2020 Formulary. However, Engerix B is currently listed as a Tier 3 drug on the Plan's 2020 Formulary. The file includes proof of payment for the Engerix B vaccine received February 27, 2020. Therefore, our decision is the Part D Plan is required to cover and provide reimbursement for the Engerix B vaccine received February 27, 2020.This decision does not concern the medical necessity or appropriateness of the requested drug. It only establishes if payment can be made under the Medicare Part D benefit.Boostrix, Typhim VI and Ipol vaccinesThe Part D Plan provided documentation that the request for coverage or payment for the Boostrix, Typhim VI and Ipol vaccines received February 27, 2020 was approved as requested. Since the Plan has agreed to provide coverage or payment, there is no need for a reconsideration review.Contact the Part D Plan to learn more about how and when coverage or payment will be provided for the Boostrix, Typhim VI and Ipol vaccines received February 27, 2020.
Appeal type: Prescription Drug
Decision: Unfavorable

You asked the Plan to cover Repatha SureClick. The Plan did not grant this request. We received this case to conduct an independent review.We asked our Physician Reviewer to determine whether the Part D Plan was correct in denying the request for Repatha SureClick 140 mg/mL. The drug is requested to treat hyperlipidemia. The prescriber has not indicated why all alternatives required by the Plan would likely not be as effective for the enrollee as the requested drug; and/or would likely cause adverse reaction(s) or other harm to the enrollee. Therefore, an exception to the Plan's coverage criteria is not supported. Our Physician Reviewer's opinion is that formulary exception criteria are not met.A Plan must grant an exception for a drug that is not on its formulary if it determines that the requested drug is medically necessary, consistent with the prescriber's statement. Based on a review of the available documentation, our Physician Reviewer's opinion is that formulary exception criteria are not met. Therefore, the Plan is not required to cover Repatha SureClick.
Appeal type: Prescription Drug
Decision: Unfavorable

You asked the Plan to provide a tiering exception for Shingrix. The Plan did not grant this request. We received this case to conduct an independent review.Medicare rules permit a Plan to grant an exception to its tiering structure so long as there is a drug in a lower cost-sharing tier approved for treating the same condition that the higher cost-sharing tier drug is being used to treat. In this case, the Plan covers vaccines as a Tier 3 and Tier 4 items only. The Shingrix vaccine is on Tier 3. There are no lower cost-sharing tier vaccines available on the Plan's formulary. Because there are no lower cost-sharing tier vaccines, Shingrix is not eligible for a tiering exception. Therefore, our decision is the Plan is not required to provide a tiering exception for Shingrix.
Appeal type: Prescription Drug
Decision: Unfavorable

You asked the Plan to cover Sildenafil, 20 mg tablet. The Plan did not grant this request. We received this case to conduct an independent review.We asked our Physician Reviewer to determine whether the Part D Plan was correct in denying the request for Sildenafil, 20 mg tablet.The drug is requested to treat non-WHO Group 1 pulmonary hypertension and esophageal dyskinesia/nutcacker esophagus, which are off-label (non-FDA approved) uses. The Medicare-approved compendia do not contain any citations to support the use of the requested drug, as prescribed, for treatment of the noted conditions. Therefore, the requested drug is not being prescribed for a medically accepted indication as defined by Medicare law. As such, an exceptions request based on medical necessity cannot be considered because the requested drug, as prescribed, does not meet the definition of a Medicare Part D drug. Therefore, the requested drug is not eligible for coverage under Medicare Part D for the noted conditions.For coverage under Part D, Medicare requires that the drug must be prescribed for a medically accepted indication. A medically accepted indication means a use that is approved by the FDA or a use that is supported by one or more citations in Medicare approved compendia. Our Physician Reviewer reviewed this file and determined that there are no citations in the Medicare approved compendia that support the use of Sildenafil, 20 mg tablet for the diagnosed conditions. As a result, the drug is not being prescribed for a medically accepted indication as defined by Medicare law. As such, it cannot be covered under the Medicare Part D benefit for these conditions. An exceptions request based on medical necessity cannot be considered because this drug, as prescribed, does not meet the definition of a Medicare Part D drug. Therefore, our decision is that the Plan is not required to provide coverage for Sildenafil, 20 mg tablet. This decision does not concern the medical necessity of the requested drug. It only establishes if payment can be made under the Medicare Part D benefit.
Appeal type: Prescription Drug
Decision: Unfavorable

You asked the Plan to cover Omega 3 Acid Ethyl Esters, 1 gm capsule. The Plan did not grant this request. We received this case to conduct an independent review.We asked our Physician Reviewer to determine whether the Part D Plan was correct in denying the request for Omega-3 Acid Ethyl Esters, 1 gm.The drug is requested to treat arteriovenous malformations of duodenum, cecum, and colon, which is an off-label (non-FDA approved) use. The Medicare-approved compendia do not contain any citations to support the use of the requested drug, as prescribed, for treatment of the noted condition. Therefore, the requested drug is not being prescribed for a medically accepted indication as defined by Medicare law. As such, an exceptions request based on medical necessity cannot be considered because the requested drug, as prescribed, does not meet the definition of a Medicare Part D drug. Therefore, the requested drug is not eligible for coverage under Medicare Part D for the noted condition.For coverage under Part D, Medicare requires that the drug must be prescribed for a medically accepted indication. A medically accepted indication means a use that is approved by the FDA or a use that is supported by one or more citations in Medicare approved compendia. Our Physician Reviewer reviewed this file and determined that there are no citations in the Medicare approved compendia that support the use of Omega 3 Acid Ethyl Esters, 1 gm capsule for the diagnosed condition. As a result, the drug is not being prescribed for a medically accepted indication as defined by Medicare law. As such, it cannot be covered under the Medicare Part D benefit for this condition. An exceptions request based on medical necessity cannot be considered because this drug, as prescribed, does not meet the definition of a Medicare Part D drug. Therefore, our decision is that the Plan is not required to provide coverage for Omega 3 Acid Ethyl Esters, 1 gm capsule. This decision does not concern the medical necessity of the requested drug. It only establishes if payment can be made under the Medicare Part D benefit.
Appeal type: Prescription Drug
Decision: Unfavorable

You asked the Plan to cover Pulmozyme. The Plan did not grant this request. We received this case to conduct an independent review.We asked our Physician Reviewer to determine whether the Part D Plan was correct in denying the request for Pulmozyme 1 mg/ml. The drug is requested to treat chronic respiratory failure with impaired airway clearance in an enrollee with BIPAP dependence and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, which is an off-label (non-FDA approved) use. The Medicare-approved compendia do not contain any citations to support the use of the requested drug, as prescribed, for treatment of the noted condition. Therefore, the requested drug is not being prescribed for a medically accepted indication as defined by Medicare law. As such, an exceptions request based on medical necessity cannot be considered because the requested drug, as prescribed, does not meet the definition of a Medicare Part D drug. Therefore, the requested drug is not eligible for coverage under Medicare Part D for the noted condition.For coverage under Part D, Medicare requires that the drug must be prescribed for a medically accepted indication. A medically accepted indication means a use that is approved by the FDA or a use that is supported by one or more citations in Medicare approved compendia. Our Physician Reviewer reviewed this file and determined that there are no citations in the Medicare approved compendia that support the use of Pulmozyme for the diagnosed condition. As a result, the drug is not being prescribed for a medically accepted indication as defined by Medicare law. As such, it cannot be covered under the Medicare Part D benefit for this condition. An exceptions request based on medical necessity cannot be considered because this drug, as prescribed, does not meet the definition of a Medicare Part D drug. Therefore, our decision is that the Plan is not required to provide coverage for Pulmozyme. This decision does not concern the medical necessity of the requested drug. It only establishes if payment can be made under the Medicare Part D benefit.
Appeal type: Prescription Drug
Decision: Unfavorable

You asked the Plan to cover Timozolomide. The Plan did not grant this request. We received this case to conduct an independent review.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 under Parts A or B of Medicare for that individual. Medicare Part B coverage includes oral anti-cancer drugs that are prescribed as anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents providing they have the same active ingredients and are used for the same indications as anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents which would be covered if they were not self-administered and they were furnished incident to a physician's service as drugs and biologicals. This coverage includes FDA approved prodrugs used as anti-cancer drugs. The oral anti-cancer drug must be used for the same anti-cancer chemotherapeutic indications, including unlabeled or off-label uses, as the non-self-administrable form of the drug. A claim denied for the reason that the diagnosis does not fall in the covered diagnosis section of the Policy Article, titled ICD-10 Codes that are Covered, will receive a statutory denial as non-covered, but may be covered at appeal if used for a medically accepted indication, as defined by Medicare law for oral anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents. In this case the record shows that Timozolomide is being prescribed for a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm. Medicare Part B provides coverage for oral anti-cancer drugs when used as anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents. It appears Timozolomide may be eligible for coverage under Medicare Part B for the diagnosis provided in this case. Drugs which are eligible for Part B coverage are excluded from Part D coverage by Medicare law. Additionally, drugs eligible to be covered under Parts A and/or B are considered available (and excluded from Part D) even if a beneficiary chooses not to pay premiums or if a beneficiary has enrolled in Part B but that coverage has not yet taken effect. Medicare records show that the enrollee is entitled to Part B coverage at this time, even though the beneficiary may have chosen not to pay premiums and/or coverage may not have taken effect. Therefore, our decision is the Part D Plan is not required to cover Timozolomide. This decision does not concern the medical necessity or appropriateness of the requested drug. It only establishes if payment can be made under the Medicare Part D benefit.You may wish to submit this request to the Medicare Part B carrier.
Appeal type: Prescription Drug
Decision: Unfavorable

Medicare rules require a Part D Plan to issue a decision regarding coverage within the specified timeframe. If the Plan does not make a timely decision, this is considered a denial. The Plan forwarded this case to us as required by Medicare rules because it did not make a timely decision.You asked the Plan to cover Lidocaine 5% Patch. The Plan did not grant this request. We received this case to conduct an independent review.We asked our Physician Reviewer to determine whether the Part D Plan was correct in denying the request for Lidocaine 5% Patch.The drug is requested to treat acute right-sided thoracic back pain, which is an off-label (non-FDA approved) use. The Medicare-approved compendia do not contain any citations to support the use of the requested drug, as prescribed, for treatment of the noted condition. Therefore, the requested drug is not being prescribed for a medically accepted indication as defined by Medicare law. As such, an exceptions request based on medical necessity cannot be considered because the requested drug, as prescribed, does not meet the definition of a Medicare Part D drug. Therefore, the requested drug is not eligible for coverage under Medicare Part D for the noted condition.For coverage under Part D, Medicare requires that the drug must be prescribed for a medically accepted indication. A medically accepted indication means a use that is approved by the FDA or a use that is supported by one or more citations in Medicare approved compendia. Our Physician Reviewer reviewed this file and determined that there are no citations in the Medicare approved compendia that support the use of Lidocaine 5% Patch for the diagnosed condition. As a result, the drug is not being prescribed for a medically accepted indication as defined by Medicare law. As such, it cannot be covered under the Medicare Part D benefit for this condition. An exceptions request based on medical necessity cannot be considered because this drug, as prescribed, does not meet the definition of a Medicare Part D drug. Therefore, our decision is that the Plan is not required to provide coverage for Lidocaine 5% Patch. This decision does not concern the medical necessity of the requested drug. It only establishes if payment can be made under the Medicare Part D benefit.
Appeal type: Prescription Drug
Decision: Unfavorable

You asked the Plan to cover Skyrizi. The Plan did not grant this request. We received this case to conduct an independent review.We asked our Physician Reviewer to determine whether the Part D Plan was correct in denying the request for Skyrizi. The drug is requested to treat Hidradenitis suppurativa, which is an off-label (non-FDA approved) use. The Medicare-approved compendia do not contain any citations to support the use of the requested drug, as prescribed, for treatment of the noted condition. Therefore, the requested drug is not being prescribed for a medically accepted indication as defined by Medicare law. As such, an exceptions request based on medical necessity cannot be considered because the requested drug, as prescribed, does not meet the definition of a Medicare Part D drug. Therefore, the requested drug is not eligible for coverage under Medicare Part D for the noted condition.For coverage under Part D, Medicare requires that the drug must be prescribed for a medically accepted indication. A medically accepted indication means a use that is approved by the FDA or a use that is supported by one or more citations in Medicare approved compendia. Our Physician Reviewer reviewed this file and determined that there are no citations in the Medicare approved compendia that support the use of Skyrizi for the diagnosed condition. As a result, the drug is not being prescribed for a medically accepted indication as defined by Medicare law. As such, it cannot be covered under the Medicare Part D benefit for this condition. An exceptions request based on medical necessity cannot be considered because this drug, as prescribed, does not meet the definition of a Medicare Part D drug. Therefore, our decision is that the Plan is not required to provide coverage for Skyrizi. This decision does not concern the medical necessity of the requested drug. It only establishes if payment can be made under the Medicare Part D benefit.