Occupational Therapy denials: 64.1% overturned by independent reviewers
In 276 California IMR decisions from 2002 to 2025, reviewers overturned the plan 177 times (64.1%). In the last five years: 43.5% of 46. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autism Spectrum | 142 | 69.7% | 45.2% of 31 |
| Pediatrics | 63 | 63.5% | 33.3% of 3 |
| Mental Disorder | 19 | 73.7% | 75.0% of 4 |
| CNS/ Neuromusc Dis | 18 | 50.0% | — |
| Genetic Diseases | 10 | 80.0% | — |
| Orth/Musculoskeletal | 10 | 30.0% | 0.0% of 3 |
| Cardiac/Circ Problem | 8 | 50.0% | 66.7% of 3 |
By year (last five)
| Year | Decisions | Overturned |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8 | 50.0% |
| 2022 | 8 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 11 | 63.6% |
| 2024 | 11 | 45.5% |
| 2025 | 8 | 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. | 82 | 62.2% | 64.1% |
| Records did not supportThe findings say the documentation did not show what was needed (usually an upheld denial). | 16 | 12.5% | 64.1% |
| Experimental or investigationalThe findings discuss whether the treatment is experimental. | 9 | 44.4% | 64.1% |
| Guidelines or criteria citedThe findings cite guidelines, criteria or a standard of care. | 6 | 83.3% | 64.1% |
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’s parent has requested authorization and coverage for occupational therapy services. Occupational therapy is indicated for patients with developmental conditions when there are functional impairments affecting daily activities and a need for skilled therapeutic intervention. Clinical guidelines support structured therapy to improve functional skills, adaptive behaviors, and overall participation in …”
“The physician reviewer found that Nature of Statutory Criteria/Case Summary: The parent of a patient has requested authorization and coverage for occupational therapy (OT). OT treatment is supported by peer-reviewed published scientific evidence for children with autism. OT is known to be effective in improving functional outcomes for patients with autism. In this case, the patient presents with autism that …”
“The physician reviewer found that Nature of Statutory Criteria/Case Summary: The patient requested authorization and coverage for skilled nursing facility (SNF) services including physical therapy (PT) for 5 days/week x 1 hour/day until the enrollee is able to self-transfer to a wheelchair and wheels himself around, is able to self-transfer to a shower chair (and back to another chair), be …”
- 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 Occupational Therapy denials overturned?
In 276 California IMR decisions from 2002 to 2025, reviewers overturned the plan 177 times (64.1%). In the last five years: 43.5% of 46.
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.