Breast cancer patient protection act email

ASPS proudly led the stakeholder effort to advance this bipartisan policy, first introduced in , and worked closely with its champions in Congress to shepherd it through the legislative process. ASPS extends special thanks to these leaders for their commitment to supporting patients facing a breast cancer diagnosis. Most importantly, though, it is a victory for our patients who have survived breast cancer. Every woman has a legal right to reconstructive services if their insurer covers breast cancer treatment, and ASPS has always believed that they also have a right to be informed about their reconstructive options. In that vein, ASPS has long been troubled by — and worked to fill — gaps in access to reconstructive services resulting from gaps in patient knowledge. This law is a major step toward the goal of universal patient awareness of their reconstructive rights.

Mastectomy is surgery to remove all or part of the breast. This federal law requires most group insurance plans that cover mastectomies to also cover breast reconstruction. It was signed into law on October 21, For plan years a plan year can be any month period that the insurer chooses beginning on or after January 1, , a group health plan generally cannot limit or deny benefits relating to a pre-existing condition. Mastectomy benefits may have a yearly deductible and may require that you pay some out-of-pocket costs. The WHCRA does not allow insurance plans and insurance companies to kick people out of the plan or keep them from enrolling or renewing their coverage under the plan to avoid WHCRA requirements. Does the WHCRA let insurance plans give doctors incentives to discourage women from having breast reconstruction after mastectomy?

A mastectomy is the surgical removal of a breast. The vast majority of mastectomies are performed on women as a breast cancer treatment , although men may develop breast cancer and require the procedure, too. In some cases, a lumpectomy may be another surgical treatment option for these patients.

Post a Comment Let us know your feelings on this blog and any addition information you may have. I received the email listed below and thought everyone should read it!!! As a Breast Cancer Patient who went through a Mastectomy not quite 2 years ago I was shocked to hear what the insurance companies are doing. The thought that I could have been sent home a few hours after having surgery I did go home the next day is really scary. I would never have been able to comprehend and retain the information that was given to me the next day if I had only a couple hours.