Implant Removal denials: 24.4% overturned by independent reviewers
In 45 California IMR decisions from 2006 to 2025, reviewers overturned the plan 11 times (24.4%). In the last five years: 21.7% of 23. Denials reach IMR only when a member appeals all the way; read the caveats below before generalising.
By diagnosis
| Diagnosis category | Decisions | Overturned | Last 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| GU/ Kidney Disorder | 11 | 27.3% | 33.3% of 9 |
| Trauma/ Injuries | 5 | 0.0% | 0.0% of 4 |
| Orth/Musculoskeletal | 5 | 20.0% | 0.0% of 2 |
| Post Surgical Comp | 5 | 20.0% | 0.0% of 1 |
By year (last five)
| Year | Decisions | Overturned |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 6 | 16.7% |
| 2023 | 4 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 5 | 20.0% |
| 2025 | 4 | 25.0% |
What the findings mention
| What the findings mention | Decisions | Overturned | All decisions here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published evidence citedThe findings refer to peer-reviewed or published evidence. | 16 | 12.5% | 24.4% |
| Records did not supportThe findings say the documentation did not show what was needed (usually an upheld denial). | 10 | 10.0% | 24.4% |
Keyword matches on the reviewer’s findings, not causes. A tag that appears mostly in overturned decisions is worth documenting in an appeal; it is not a guarantee.
From recent overturned decisions
“The physician reviewer found that Nature of Statutory Criteria/Case Summary: A patient has requested reimbursement for left breast surgery including anesthesia. Per the medical records, the patient had an intracapsular rupture of a silicone gel breast implant. As such, capsular revision and the removal of implant/implant contents were medically indicated. Therefore, revision of the peri-implant capsule in the breast and …”
“Nature of Statutory Criteria/Case Summary: The patient requested authorization and coverage for components of the bilateral breast implant removal and replacement procedures.Breast cancer has become one of the most common malignancies in women worldwide. BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene 1) and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer gene 2) are genes that produce proteins that help repair damaged deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Patients who inherit …”
“Nature of Statutory Criteria/Case Summary: The patient has requested authorization and coverage for magnetic resonance imaging of the right breast. Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard imaging examination for the evaluation of silicone implant rupture. Due to the nature of silicone implants and the capsule that the body forms around the implant, intracapsular rupture, or rupture contained …”
- 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 Implant Removal denials overturned?
In 45 California IMR decisions from 2006 to 2025, reviewers overturned the plan 11 times (24.4%). In the last five years: 21.7% of 23.
What did the reviewers' findings mention in overturned cases?
The table on this page counts keyword matches in the findings: prior therapies tried, contraindications, guidelines cited, published evidence, whether the records supported the request. They describe what the findings say, not why the case was decided.
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 the reasoning is the same kind: criteria, documentation and alternatives. Use the findings as a guide to what to document.
Related: California appeal rights · California external-review reversal rate · The levers library · CSV
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.