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 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). 
 
The rules say that a mastectomy sleeve (L8010) is denied as noncovered, since it does not meet the definition 
of a prosthesis. You can find this rule in Local Coverage Article External Breast Prostheses - Policy Article 
A52478. 
 
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 custom fabricated mandibular advancement oral appliance (E0486) used to treat obstructive 
sleep apnea (OSA) is covered if criteria A - D are met. 
 
    A. The beneficiary has an in-person clinical evaluation by the treating practitioner prior to the sleep test to 
assess the beneficiary for obstructive sleep apnea testing. Refer to the ICD-10 code list in the LCD-related 
Policy Article for applicable diagnoses. 
    B. The beneficiary has a Medicare-covered sleep test that meets one of the following criteria (1 - 3): 
        1. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) or Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI) is greater than or equal to 15 
events per hour with a minimum of 30 events: or 
        2. The AHI or RDI is greater than or equal to 5 and less than or equal to 14 events per hour with a 
minimum of 10 events and documentation of: 
            a. Excessive daytime sleepiness, impaired cognition, mood disorders, or insomnia; or 
            b. Hypertension, ischemic heart disease, or history of stroke; or 
        3. If the AHI> 30 or the RDI> 30 and meets either of the following (a or b): 
            a. The beneficiary is not able to tolerate a positive airway pressure (PAP) device; or 
            b. The treating practitioner determines that the use of a PAP device is contraindicated. 
    C. The device is ordered by the treating practitioner following a review of the report of the sleep test. (The 
practitioner who provides the order for the oral appliance could be different from the one who performed the 
clinical evaluation in criterion A.) 
    D. The device is provided and billed for by a licensed dentist (DDS or DMD). 
 
If all of these criteria (A-D) are not met, the custom fabricated oral appliance (E0486) will be denied as not 
reasonable and necessary. You can find these rules in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Oral 
Appliances for Obstructive Sleep Apnea L33611. 
 
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 state that 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. 
The rules also say that 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: 
1. The beneficiarys past history (including prior prosthetic use if applicable); and 
2. The beneficiarys current condition including the status of the residual limb and the nature of other 
medical problems; and 
3. 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. 
You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for Lower Limb Prostheses, L33787. 
 
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 Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PENS) and Percutaneous Neuromodulation 
Therapy (PNT) have been evaluated for the treatment of a variety of chronic musculoskeletal or neuropathic 
pain conditions including low back pain, neck pain, diabetic neuropathy, chronic headache, and surface 
hyperalgesia. PENS and PNT therapies combine the features of electroacupuncture and transcutaneous 
electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). PENS is generally reserved for patients who fail to get pain relief from 
TENS. 
 
PENS and/or PNT, non-invasive electro-acupuncture devices, have an external battery source, and are applied 
using an adhesive and/or with needles inserted (similar to acupuncture). The electro-acupuncture devices do not 
require surgical implantation and/or incision into the central nervous system or targeted peripheral nerve. 
 
Currently there are no specific CPT or HCPCS codes for PENS or PNT services. Providers may submit claims 
for these services using the unlisted CPT code 64999: unlisted procedure, nervous system. Line Item 19 
indicating the respective procedure name, which will result in a denied claim. 
 
Not Otherwise Classified (NOC) codes are used when there is no existing true code for the service, procedure, 
drug or biological being provided. Claims utilizing J/NOC codes are subject to Medical Review. When a 
specific HCPCS code does not exist, list the appropriate J/NOC code. 
 
Providers should not be using: 
 
    CPT codes 64553-64566 as these apply to percutaneous implantation of neurostimulator electrodes and not 
appropriate, as PENS and PNT use percutaneously inserted needles, OR 
    CPT code 64590 as this applies to insertion or replacement of neurostimulator pulse generator or receiver 
and not appropriate, as PENS and PNT stimulation devices are not implanted, OR 
    HCPCS code range L8680-L8689. 
    CPT codes 61885, 61886, 63650, 63655, 63661, 63663, 63664, 63685, 63688, 64568, 64569, 64575, 64580, 
64581, 64585, 64590, 64595 as these apply to neurostimulator pulse generator or receiver implantation. 
 
Implantable neurostimulators are Medicare-covered devices that require surgical implantation into the central 
nervous system or targeted peripheral nerve and are usually implanted via procedures performed in operating 
rooms. These devices are different from electro-acupuncture devices and coding electro-acupuncture devices as 
implantable neurostimulators is incorrect.   
You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Article (LCA) A56062. 
 
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 state that percutaneous vertebral augmentation (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 to 12 weeks) osteoporotic vertebral compression 
fracture (VCF) (T1  L5) by recent (within 30 days) advanced imaging 
b. Symptomatic (one): 
i. Hospitalized with severe pain 
ii. Non-hospitalized with moderate to severe pain despite optimal non-surgical management 
(one): 
1. Worsening pain 
2. Stable to improved pain (with 2 or more of the following): 
A. Progression of vertebral body height loss 
B. More than 25% vertebral body height reduction 
C. Kyphotic deformity 
D. Severe impact of VCF on daily functioning 
c. Continuum of care (both): 
i. All patients presenting with VCF should be referred for evaluation of BMD and 
osteoporosis education for subsequent treatment as indicated. 
ii. All patients with VCF should be instructed to take part in an osteoporosis 
prevention/treatment program. 
2. Exclusion criteria (Can have none of the following): 
a. Absolute contraindication 
i. Current back pain is not primarily due to the identified acute or subacute VCF(s) 
ii. Osteomyelitis, discitis or active systemic or surgical site infection 
iii. Pregnancy 
b. Relative contraindication 
i. Allergy to bone cement or opacification agents 
ii. Uncorrected coagulopathy 
iii. Spinal instability 
iv. Myelopathy from the fracture 
v. Neurologic deficit 
vi. Neural impingement vii. Fracture retropulsion/canal compromise 
viii. Greater than three vertebral fractures 
 
You can find these rules in Local Coverage Determination (LCD) Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation 
(PVA) for Vertebral Compression Fracture (VCF) (L38737). 
 
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 does not pay for hearing aids or examinations for the purpose of prescribing, 
fitting, or changing hearing aids. You can find this rule at 42 CFR Section 411.15(d). 
 
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 provides supplemental (extra) coverage for hearing aids/services. This benefit includes a 
$1,000 allowance for up to two hearing aids every two calendar years (both ears combined). You can find this 
information on page 69 of the Plans 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 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 134 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 the patient's medical record should contain documentation that fully supports the medical 
necessity for the administration of either formulation. When using denosumab (Prolia), it is required the patient 
adequately supplemented with calcium and vitamin D (calcium 1000 mg daily and at least 400 IU vitamin D 
daily). You can find this information in Local Coverage Article: Billing and Coding: Denosumab (ProliaTM, 
XgevaTM) (A52399). 
 
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 state that a PCD coded as E0650 or E0651 is covered for both primary and secondary lymphedema in 
beneficiaries with chronic and severe lymphedema when all of the following three requirements are met: 
1. The beneficiary has a diagnosis of lymphedema as defined above, and 
2. The beneficiary has persistence of chronic and severe lymphedema as identified by the documented presence 
of at least one of the following clinical findings: 
o Marked hyperkeratosis with hyperplasia and hyperpigmentation, 
o Papillomatosis cutis lymphostatica, 
o Deformity of elephantiasis, 
o Skin breakdown with persisting lymphorrhea, 
o Detailed measurements over time confirming the persistence of the lymphedema 
with a history evidencing a likely etiology, and 
3. In addition to this documented persistence, the lymphedema is then documented to be unresponsive to other 
clinical treatment over the course of a required four-week trial. 
 
You can find this information in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Local Coverage 
Determination (LCD) Pneumatic Compression Devices (PCD), L33829  
 
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 Part B generally does not pay for drugs that are usually self-administered by the 
patients who take them. Examples of self-administered drugs are drugs in pill form and those used for self-
injection. The only exceptions are: 
 
1. blood-clotting factors;  
2. drugs used in immunosuppressive therapy; 
3. erythropoietin for dialysis patients;  
4. osteoporosis drugs for certain homebound patients; 
5. certain oral cancer drugs;  
6. oral anti-emetics used in certain situations;  
7. drugs treated as supplies during an outpatient hospital procedure; and  
8. drugs required for the effective use of durable medical equipment. 
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, Sections 50, 50.2, 50.5, and 110.3. 
 
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 covered services include: Drugs that usually aren't self-administered by the patient and are 
injected or infused while you are getting physician, hospital outpatient, or ambulatory surgical center services. 
You can find this information in Chapter 3 on page 58 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 oxygen is coverable when medically necessary for patients with acute or chronic conditions, 
short- or long- term, when the patient exhibits hypoxemia. Patients exhibiting hypoxemia are defined using the 
clinical criteria below.  
 
1. Arterial PO2 (partial pressure of oxygen) at or below 55 mm Hg or arterial O2 (oxygen) saturation at or 
below 88% on room air, at rest; 
 
2. Arterial PO2 at or below 55 mm Hg or arterial O2 saturation at or below 88% on room air, taken during 
sleep for patients who have hypoxia symptoms during sleep; 
 
3. Arterial PO2 at or below 55 mm Hg or arterial O2 saturation at or below 88%, taken during exercise for 
patients who have hypoxia symptoms during exercise; 
 
4. Arterial PO2 between 56 and 59 mmHg and arterial O2 saturation is 89% on room air if there is evidence of 
dependent edema, pulmonary hypertension, or erythrocythemia. 
 
For patients who do not exhibit hypoxemia according to the above criteria, oxygen may be coverable when 
medically reasonable and necessary for patients who do not have a non-covered indication. You can find this 
rule in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-03, Medicare 
National Coverage Determinations Manual, Section 240.2. 
 
The rules say that while there is no formal requirement for re-evaluation and retesting, providers should ensure 
that once qualified for home oxygen therapy, the oxygen therapy and oxygen equipment remain reasonable and 
necessary pursuant to Social Security Act 1862 (a)(1)(A). 
Group II 
1. A re-evaluation and a repeat qualifying blood gas test by the treating practitioner between the 61
st
 and 
90
th
 days after initiation of therapy pursuant to Social Security Act 1834(a)(5)(E); and, 
2. A new SWO by the treating practitioner.  
You can find this rule in the Local Coverage Article for Oxygen and Oxygen Equipment - Policy Article, 
A52514. 
 
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 single photon emission computed tomograph (SPECT) acquires information on the 
concentration of radionuclides introduced into the patient's body. It is useful in the diagnosis of several clinical 
conditions including: 
 
    stress fracture. 
    spondylosis. 
    infection (e.g., discitis). 
    tumor (e.g., osteoid osteoma). 
    analyze blood flow to an organ, as in the case of myocardial viability. 
    differentiate ischemic heart disease from dilated cardiomyopathy. 
 
You can find this information in the National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Single Photon Emission 
Computed Tomography (SPECT) (220.12). 
 
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 will cover a Power Mobility Device (PMD) (i.e., power wheelchair or scooter) for 
a person who meets the following criteria:  
 
1. The person must have a personal mobility deficit;  
2. The deficit must impair their participation in mobility related activities of daily living (MRADLs) such 
as toileting, feeding, grooming and bathing in customary locations within the home;  
3. The persons condition must not be able to be ameliorated by a walker, cane or manual wheelchair; and 
4. The person must be capable of safely operating the PMD.  
You can find this rule in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Publication 
100-03, Medicare National Coverage Determinations Manual, Section 280.3(B). 
 
The rules say that if any POV or PWC is only for use outside the home, it will be denied as noncovered. You 
can find this in Local Coverage Article Power Mobility Devices - Policy Article (A52498). 
 
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.