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 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: 
1. Moderate to severe chronic neck or low back pain, predominantly axial, that causes functional deficit 
measured on pain or disability scale* 
2. Pain present for minimum of 3 months with documented failure to respond to noninvasive conservative 
management (as tolerated) 
3. Absence of untreated radiculopathy or neurogenic claudication (except for radiculopathy caused by 
facet joint synovial cyst) 
4. There is no non-facet pathology per clinical assessment or radiology studies that could explain the 
source of the patients pain, including but not limited to fracture, tumor, infection, or significant deformity. 
 
* Pain assessment must be performed at baseline, after each diagnostic procedure using the same pain or 
disability scale for each assessment. A disability scale must also be obtained at baseline to be used for 
functional assessment (if patient qualifies for treatment).  
 
Therapeutic facet joint procedures are considered medically reasonable and necessary for patients who meet 
ALL of the following criteria: 
a. The patient has had two (2) medically reasonable and necessary diagnostic facet joint procedures with 
each one providing a consistent minimum of 80 percent relief of primary (index) pain (with the duration of 
relief being consistent with the agent used) AND 
b. Subsequent therapeutic facet joint procedures at the same anatomic site results in at least consistent 50 
percent pain relief for at least three (3) months from the prior therapeutic procedure or at least 50 percent 
consistent improvement in the ability to perform previously painful movements and activities of daily living 
(ADLs) as compared to baseline measurement using the same scale; AND 
c. Documentation of why the patient is not a candidate for radiofrequency ablation (such as established 
spinal pseudarthrosis, implanted electrical device) 
 
You can find this information in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Facet Joint Interventions for Pain 
Management (L38765). 
 
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 Plan 
contract says that they have a link that will take you to a list of Part B Drugs that may be subject to Step 
Therapy. You can find this information in Chapter 4 on page 86 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 state that therapeutic continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and related supplies are covered by 
Medicare when all of the following coverage criteria are met: 
  1. The beneficiary has diabetes mellitus, 
  2. The beneficiary is insulin-treated with multiple (three or more) daily administrations of insulin or a 
Medicare-covered continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) pump, 
  3. The beneficiarys insulin treatment regimen requires frequent adjustment by the beneficiary on the basis of 
blood glucose monitor (BGM) or CGM testing results, 
  4. Within six (6) months prior to ordering the CGM, the treating practitioner has an in-person visit with the 
beneficiary to evaluate their diabetes control and determined that criteria (1-3) above are met; and, 
  5. Every six (6) months following the initial prescription of the CGM, the treating practitioner has an in-
person visit with the beneficiary to assess adherence to their CGM regimen and diabetes treatment plan. 
 
You can find this information in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Glucose Monitors (L33822). 
 
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 if an enrollee receives an A-C IOL during cataract surgery, the enrollee will be responsible
for the difference in cost between the A-C IOL and a conventional IOL. The astigmatism-correcting feature of
an IOL is not covered by Medicare. You can find this rule in the CMS Ruling, No. CMS-1536-R,
"Astigmatism-Correcting IOLs", January 22, 2007.
The rules say that Medicare does not pay for low vision aids. This exclusion includes all devices that use one or
more lenses to aid vision or magnify images. This rule applies no matter the size, form or technological
features of the device. This rule does not apply to: 1. post-surgical prosthetic lenses after surgery in which the
lens of the eye was removed; 2. prosthetic intraocular lenses (IOLs) and one pair of conventional eyeglasses or
contact lenses furnished after each cataract surgery with insertion of an IOL; and 3. prosthetic lenses used by
those who are lacking the natural lens of the eye and who were not furnished with an IOL. You can find this
rule at 42 CFR Section 411.15(b).
The rules say that Medicare does not pay for eye exams for the purpose of prescribing, fitting, or changing
eyeglasses or contact lenses for refractive error only. Medicare does not pay for procedures performed in the
course of any eye exam to determine the refractive state of the eyes. Refractive procedures are not covered
even when done in connection with otherwise covered diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury. You can find
these rules at 42 CFR Section 411.15(c).
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com.
The Plan contract says that there is a $350 plan coverage limit for eyeglasses, frames, lenses, or contacts every
two (2) years. The Plan contract also says enhancements including but not limited to the following are not
covered through the allowance but may be purchased by the member at an additional cost: Optional cosmetic
processes; Antireflective, mirror, color or scratch coating; Blended, cosmetic, laminated, oversize, UV
protected or polycarbonate lenses; Photochromic lenses, tinted lenses except Pink #1 and Pink #2.; Progressive
multifocal lenses; Certain limitations on low vision care; A frame that costs more than Plan allowance. You can
find this information on pages 103 and 104 of the Plan's 2022 Evidence of Coverage.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules state that percutaneous minimally invasive fusion/stabilization of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) for the 
treatment of back pain is indicated for the treatment of SIJ pain for patients with low back/buttock pain who 
meet all of the criteria: 
 
You can find this information at Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Percutaneous minimally invasive 
fusion/stabilization of the sacroiliac joint for the treatment of back pain (L36000). 
 
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. 
 
Medicare rules state that oscillating hospital beds are specifically excluded from coverage as they are 
institutional equipment that are inappropriate for home use. You can find this rule in the National Coverage 
Determination (NCD): Durable Medical Equipment Reference List (280.1). 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101.
The rules say that the general rule for the date of service (DOS) policy for either a clinical laboratory test or the technical component of physician pathology service is to bill the date the specimen was collected as the date of service. There are three possible exceptions to this rule: 1. For tests performed on stored specimens, when the specific criteria as noted in the manual are met, for specimens stored less than or equal to 30 days, the DOS is when the testing was actually completed. If the specimen was stored for more than 30 days, then the DOS is the date that the specimen was obtained from storage. Specimens in the case of this exception must have been collected while the patient was undergoing a hospital surgical procedure. 2. For samples of live tissue taken for chemotherapy sensitivity testing, the DOS is the date the testing was performed, when the listed criteria are met. Specimens in this case must have been collected while the patient was undergoing a hospital surgical procedure. 3. Lastly, there is an exception for Advanced Laboratory Tests (ADLT) performed on specimens which have been collected in an outpatient hospital encounter. When specific criteria are met for these tests, the DOS is the date the testing is performed. You can find this information in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 16, Section 40.8.
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com.
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules say that Medicare will not pay for dental services. Dental services are items and services involving 
the care, treatment, filling, removal or replacement of teeth or structures directly supporting the teeth. Medicare 
defines "structures directly supporting the teeth" as the periodontium, which includes the gingivae, 
dentogingival junction, periodontal membrane, cementum of the teeth, and alveolar process. You can find this 
rule in the Social Security Act, Section 1862(a)(12) and in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 
Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Section 150. 
 
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 certain dental services as a supplemental (extra) benefit. You can find this information on pages 66-67 of the Plan's 2022 Evidence of Coverage (EOC).
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules state that 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: 
1. Moderate to severe chronic neck or low back pain, predominantly axial, that causes functional deficit 
measured on pain or disability scale* 
2. Pain present for minimum of 3 months with documented failure to respond to noninvasive conservative 
management (as tolerated) 
3. Absence of untreated radiculopathy or neurogenic claudication (except for radiculopathy caused by 
facet joint synovial cyst) 
4. There is no non-facet pathology per clinical assessment or radiology studies that could explain the 
source of the patients pain, including but not limited to fracture, tumor, infection, or significant 
deformity. 
You can find this information in Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Facet Joint Interventions for Pain 
Management (L38765). 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules.
Appeal type: unknown
Decision: unknown

 
The rules say that plans must pay for a medical service or item if regular Medicare would pay for it in this case. 
You can find this rule at 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 422.101. 
 
The rules say that Medicare will pay for durable medical equipment that is mainly used to serve a medical 
purpose. Items such as hospital beds, respirators, wheelchairs and crutches are examples of equipment that are 
clearly used for medical purposes. Medicare will not pay for: 
 
1. Equipment that is primarily and customarily used for nonmedical purposes. Examples include air 
conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and electric air cleaners; 
2. Equipment used for a patients comfort or for the convenience of a person caring for the patient. Examples 
include elevators, stairway elevators, physical fitness equipment and self-help devices such as grab bars. You 
can find these rules in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-
02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Section 110.1.  
 
The rules say that a nonelectric heating pad or wrap (A9273) does not meet the definition of durable medical 
equipment (DME) and will be denied as noncovered. You can find this information in Local Coverage Article: 
Heating Pads and Heat Lamps - Policy Article (A52502). 
 
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 high frequency chest wall oscillation devices (HFCWODs) are covered when they are 
medically necessary for enrollees who have: 
 cystic fibrosis; or 
 bronchiectasis that has been confirmed by CT scan; or  
 one of these neuromuscular diseases: post-polio, acid maltase deficiency, anterior horn cell diseases, 
multiple sclerosis, quadriplegia, hereditary muscular dystrophy, myotonic disorders, other myopathies, or 
paralysis of the diaphragm.  
 
Medical records must show failure of standard treatments to clear secretions. The rules also say that chronic 
bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) do not meet criteria for coverage when there is 
no diagnosis of bronchiectasis. You can find these rules in the Medicare Local Coverage Determination (LCD) 
L33785, High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation Devices. This LCD is effective for services provided on or 
after July 1, 2016. 
 
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 power seating system - tilt only, recline only, or combination tilt and recline - with or 
without power elevating legrests will be covered if criteria 1, 2, and 3 are met and if criterion 4, 5, or 6 is met: 
1. The beneficiary meets all the coverage criteria for a power wheelchair described in the Power Mobility 
Devices LCD; and 
2. A specialty evaluation that was performed by a licensed/certified medical professional, such as a 
physical therapist (PT) or occupational therapist (OT) or practitioner who has specific training and 
experience in rehabilitation wheelchair evaluations of the beneficiary's seating and positioning needs. 
The PT, OT, or practitioner may have no financial relationship with the supplier; and 
3. The wheelchair is provided by a supplier that employs a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology 
Professional (ATP) who specializes in wheelchairs and who has direct, in-person involvement in the 
wheelchair selection for the beneficiary. 
4. The beneficiary is at high risk for development of a pressure ulcer and is unable to perform a functional 
weight shift; or 
5. The beneficiary utilizes intermittent catheterization for bladder management and is unable to 
independently transfer from the wheelchair to bed; or 
6. The power seating system is needed to manage increased tone or spasticity. 

If these criteria are not met, the power seating component(s) will be denied as not reasonable and necessary 
You can find this rule at Local Coverage Determination (LCD) L33792: Wheelchair Options/Accessories (eff. 
1/1/20). 

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 lower limb prosthesis is covered when the beneficiary: 
 
Will reach or maintain a defined functional state within a reasonable period of time; and 
 
Is motivated to ambulate. 
 
FUNCTIONAL LEVELS: 
 
A determination of the medical necessity for certain components/additions to the prosthesis is based on the 
beneficiarys potential functional abilities. Potential functional ability is based on the reasonable expectations 
of the prosthetist, and treating practitioner, considering factors including, but not limited to: 
 
The beneficiarys past history (including prior prosthetic use if applicable); and 
 
The beneficiarys current condition including the status of the residual limb and the nature of other medical 
problems; and 
 
The beneficiarys desire to ambulate. 
 
Clinical assessments of beneficiary rehabilitation potential must be based on the following classification levels: 
 
Level 0: Does not have the ability or potential to ambulate or transfer safely with or without assistance and a 
prosthesis does not enhance their quality of life or mobility. 
Level 1: Has the ability or potential to use a prosthesis for transfers or ambulation on level surfaces at fixed 
cadence. Typical of the limited and unlimited household ambulator. 
Level 2: Has the ability or potential for ambulation with the ability to traverse low level environmental barriers 
such as curbs, stairs or uneven surfaces. Typical of the limited community ambulator. 
Level 3: Has the ability or potential for ambulation with variable cadence. Typical of the community ambulator 
who has the ability to traverse most environmental barriers and may have vocational, therapeutic, or exercise 
activity that demands prosthetic utilization beyond simple locomotion. 
Level 4: Has the ability or potential for prosthetic ambulation that exceeds basic ambulation skills, exhibiting 
high impact, stress, or energy levels. Typical of the prosthetic demands of the child, active adult, or athlete.  
The records must document the beneficiarys current functional capabilities and his/her expected functional 
potential, including an explanation for the difference, if that is the case. It is recognized, within the functional 
classification hierarchy, that bilateral amputees often cannot be strictly bound by functional level 
classifications. A microprocessor controlled ankle foot system (L5973), energy storing foot (L5976), dynamic 
response foot with multi-axial ankle (L5979), flex foot system (L5980), flex-walk system or equal (L5981), or 
shank foot system with vertical loading pylon (L5987) is covered for beneficiaries whose functional level is 3 
or above. You can find this information in Medicare's Local Coverage Determination (LCD): Lower Limb 
Prostheses (L33787). 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com.