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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 a Medicare plan may restrict enrollees 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 an enrollees medical needs. You can find this rule at 42 CFR Section 422.112. 
 
The rules say that plans must ensure continuity of care for enrollees. You can find this rule in the Centers for 
Medicare and Medicaid Services, Internet Only Manual, Medicare Managed Care Manual, Chapter 4, Section 
110.6. 
 
The rules say that plans may specify the networks of providers from whom enrollees may obtain services. The 
rules say plans may require prior authorization for most in-network services if the plan ensures that all covered 
services are available and accessible under the plan. The plan must arrange for and cover any medically 
necessary covered benefit outside of the plan provider network, but at in-network cost sharing, when an in-
network provider or benefit is unavailable or inadequate to meet an enrollee's medical needs. Plans offering 
coordinated care plans must ensure continuity of care and integration of services through arrangements with 
contracted providers. This includes services available through contracting or non-contracting providers in the 
area serviced by the health plan including nursing home and community-based services, and behavioral health 
services. You can find this rule at 42 CFR Section 422.112. 
 
The rules say that Medicare plans must make reasonable and diligent efforts to gather and forward information 
to the Independent Review Entity (IRE). You can find this information in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
Services, Internet Only Manual, Parts C & D Enrollee Grievances, Organization/Coverage Determinations, and 
Appeals Grievance Manual, Section 50.12.1. 
 
If you want to read these Medicare rules, you can go to this website www.medicareappeal.com. 
 
The Plan contract says that the Plan covers items and services in accordance with Medicare rules. The Plan 
contract says that, with limited exceptions, members of the Plan must use network providers to get medical care 
and services. The only exceptions are emergencies, urgently needed care when the network is not available 
(generally, when the enrollee is out of the area), out-of-area dialysis services, and cases in which the Plan 
authorizes the use of out-of-network providers. You can find this information on pages 38-47 of the Plan's 2023 
Evidence of Coverage.