Prosthesis denials: 51.1% overturned by independent reviewers
In 94 California IMR decisions from 2005 to 2025, reviewers overturned the plan 48 times (51.1%). In the last five years: 53.3% of 30. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orth/Musculoskeletal | 66 | 47.0% | 42.9% of 14 |
| CNS/ Neuromusc Dis | 7 | 28.6% | 50.0% of 4 |
| Cardiac/Circ Problem | 6 | 50.0% | 33.3% of 3 |
| Cancer | 5 | 60.0% | 50.0% of 2 |
By year (last five)
| Year | Decisions | Overturned |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 7 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 10 | 50.0% |
| 2024 | 5 | 80.0% |
| 2025 | 4 | 100.0% |
What the findings mention
| What the findings mention | Decisions | Overturned | All decisions here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published evidence citedThe findings refer to peer-reviewed or published evidence. | 34 | 41.2% | 51.1% |
| Records did not supportThe findings say the documentation did not show what was needed (usually an upheld denial). | 11 | 36.4% | 51.1% |
| Experimental or investigationalThe findings discuss whether the treatment is experimental. | 4 | 50.0% | 51.1% |
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: The patient’s parent has requested authorization and coverage for bilateral Psyonic Ability hands and upper limb prosthetics. In this case, the patient presents with bilateral arm amelia. The requested prosthetics will allow the patient to have better control of the prosthetic devices and improve function to achieve functional goals. The …”
“The physician reviewer found that Nature of Statutory Criteria/Case Summary: An enrollee has requested authorization and coverage for an endoskeletal ankle foot system, microprocessor-controlled feature, dorsiflexion and/or plantar flexion control prosthesis. Overall, medical literature provides sufficient evidence to support the medical appropriateness of an endoskeletal ankle-foot prosthesis with a microprocessor-controlled feature and dorsiflexion and/or plantar flexion control in this clinical …”
“Nature of Statutory Criteria/Case Summary: A patient has requested authorization and coverage for upper extremity prosthesis NOS (partial finger body-powered prosthesis 3MCP level and 1 PIP level), right. Findings: The physician reviewer found that the patient has suffered amputations of all four extremities due to ischemia. The patient’s amputations include bilateral transfemoral amputations and digit amputations of his bilateral hands. …”
- 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 Prosthesis denials overturned?
In 94 California IMR decisions from 2005 to 2025, reviewers overturned the plan 48 times (51.1%). In the last five years: 53.3% of 30.
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.