Had a C-section and worried about future insurance coverage?
I'm wondering if there are any moms out there who've had one or more C-sections and are having trouble with their insurance coverage. There's a cover story in today's (6/1/08) New York Times about how women have been refused coverage or else have to pay high premiums because they've had C-sections in the past.
I'm absolutely appalled by this and feel this is awful discrimination! In the article, a 39-yr-old woman in perfect health was denied individual coverage by the Golden Rule Insurance Company, (owned by United Healthcare), because she'd had a previous C-section and therefore was considered "at risk" for a future C-section since she'd not been sterilized. According to the article, a C-section costs an average $2,700 more than a vaginal birth, and Golden Rule didn't want to have to pay this extra cost. In some states, Blue Cross Blue Shield charges much higher premiums to women who've had C-sections. And there are many other insurance companies that treat C-sections as pre-existing conditions and will not provide coverage unless a woman has been sterlized.
Has anyone encountered this issue?
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I have not personally encountered this issue, and it does sound appalling!
With my insurance (we are self-insured), I have to tell them 12 MONTHS *before* I conceive to get additional "maternity coverage". If I get maternity coverage after I'm even 1 day pregnant (and, obviously wouldn't know it yet), I would be denied insurance for my pregnancy (and, I assume labor and delivery) because it would be a "pre-existing condition". Absurd!
So...when the magical time comes for my husband and I to try to have another baby, the first people who will know will not be those closest to us...but will be our INSURANCE COMPANY! (Basically, we have to tell them if we're even THINKING about it).
That just seems so crazy to have to inform your insurance co. 12 months in advance. I really can't believe that. It's truly scary how much control insurance companies have over us and our life decisions.
Kristin Davis
http://ppdsurvivor.blogspot.com
Hi there, We appreciate your insight and I'm sorry you feel like you're being punished. The good news is that one organization is trying to do something about what it perceives as an injustice to women.
The National Women's Health Network is an independent charity that advocates for women's healthcare rights. You may want to check out their Web site to find out more.
While I know you're very frustrated, you may find some hope in knowing someone is out there fighting for you. Hang in there and if you do discover an insurance company that will cover you, please, please, please let us know.
This is pretty nasty. Group insurance coverage would be preferable. Maybe Governor Arnold, will do some insurance reform here in California to address this here. He already has done some good stuff in that direction.
I got golden rule after my first child was born via c-section and they put me on a probationary period of 3 years. They said that I couldn't have a baby before that if I wanted to be covered, if I did I would be paying out of pocket (about $11,000.00)! I just had my second child via c-section and am trying to get self coverage because my husband has been laid off (we had group coverage for the second one)and I'm running into the same problem as before. There asking me if I plan on having any more children? Is that a problem? It's a child, a life, not a condition! Even if it was, I'm paying for a service, it's like turning away a colored person because of the color of their skin.
They would rather you be sterilized than bring a living breathing person into the world, a future costumer might I add!