Allergy Testing for Respiratory System: 16.7% of denials overturned
In 6 California IMR decisions from 2011 to 2024, reviewers overturned 1 (16.7%). In the last five years: 0.0% of 2. 2 were medical-necessity disputes, 4 experimental/investigational.
By year (last five)
| Year | Decisions | Overturned |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 2024 | 1 | 0.0% |
What the findings mention
From recent overturned decisions
“Nature of Statutory Criteria/Case Summary: An enrollee has requested reimbursement for a breathing test. While the measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is not utilized by itself in the evaluation and management of asthma, it has been demonstrated to be of value in conjunction with clinical parameters. Its use is associated with significantly lower asthma exacerbation rates compared with …”
And one the reviewer upheld
“The physician reviewer found that Nature of Statutory Criteria/Case Summary: An enrollee’s parent has requested reimbursement for allergy tests (immunoassay for allergy or toxicity and IgG food test). The patient’s provider recommended evaluation with testing as part of the treatment protocol within the tolerance induction program (TIP). The TIP is a form of oral immunotherapy (OIT), which is still in …”
- California only: these are decisions by independent reviewers under California's IMR program (plans regulated by the Department of Managed Health Care). Other states and self-funded employer plans use different reviewers and rules.
- Selection: only denials that a member took all the way to IMR appear. Most denials are never appealed, and the ones that reach an external reviewer are not a random sample.
- Overturned means the reviewer disagreed with the plan; it does not mean the treatment worked or that a similar request will be approved.
- Argument tags are keyword matches on the reviewer's findings. They describe what the findings mention, not why the case was decided.
- Categories are DMHC's own labels (treatment sub-category and diagnosis category); 'Other' is a catch-all and is excluded from rankings.
Source: California Department of Managed Health Care, Independent Medical Review (IMR) Determinations, Trend (CHHS Open Data). Public California government data; Apellica's aggregates and tags are CC BY 4.0.
Questions
How often were Allergy Testing denials for Respiratory System overturned?
In 6 California IMR decisions from 2011 to 2024, reviewers overturned 1 (16.7%). In the last five years: 0.0% of 2. 2 were medical-necessity disputes, 4 experimental/investigational.
What should an appeal document, based on these findings?
Whatever the plan's criteria ask for, shown in the record: the treatments already tried and their results, contraindications to the plan's preferred option, the guideline or evidence that supports the request, and the treating clinician's reasoning written to the criteria. The tag table shows which of these the reviewers mentioned most in overturned cases.
Does a California IMR result apply to my plan?
Only California plans regulated by the Department of Managed Health Care go to IMR. Other states and self-funded employer plans use different reviewers, but they weigh the same things.
Independent reviewers reverse plans when the record answers the criteria. Upload the denial letter; a senior reviewer reads it within 24 hours and tells you in writing whether it can be appealed and how. $0 upfront, 10% of what is recovered, nothing if we do not recover. Not a law firm.