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Insurance Coverage for Breast Reconstruction
Restoring Femininity With Breast Reconstruction
The diagnosis with breast cancer can be very overwhelming and associated with a tremendous amount of emotional stress. The consequences of its treatment, which usually involves the surgical removal of part or all of the breast affected by cancer, can be very traumatic. The physical results can leave a woman feeling unattractive, deformed, un-feminine, sexually inadequate, and lacking confidence.
Breast reconstruction can be performed with the goals being to physically restore/recreate the breast(s) to as close to a normal look and feel as possible and make a woman feel “whole” again. Such reconstruction can also have very important emotional and mental benefits – helping to restore a woman’s confidence, self-worth, femininity, sexual attractiveness, and libido.
A sad truth is that many breast cancer and mastectomy patients are not aware of their reconstruction options and what they are entitled to through their health insurance coverage.
The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA)
The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) is a federal law to ensure that breast cancer patients are given the health insurance coverage they deserve. This law states that health insurance companies who cover breast cancer treatment must also cover the cost of breast reconstruction and the associated procedures and treatments. Patients cannot be denied eligibility or kicked off an insurance plan by companies in an attempt to avoid WHCRA requirements.
The WHCRA entitles breast cancer patients to coverage of the following:
- Reconstruction of the breast treated with mastectomy
- Surgery on the other breast for symmetry
- Breast prosthesis after mastectomy until reconstruction is performed
- Any physical complications that develop at any stage of the mastectomy
Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer or have already undergone mastectomy treatment, I can help explain all of your breast reconstruction options and determine the best course of action for your individual needs.
To schedule your consultation, please call (480) 451-3000 today. You may also fill out our online contact form for more information.