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You are constantly learning when it comes to breast cancer. That’s true of breast reconstruction and restoration as well. The more you know, the more informed your decisions can be.
Here is some helpful information about your legal medical rights and your reconstructive options. While there are numerous sources of information available to you, we’ve compiled information from sources we trust.
Learn About Procedures
Implant Reconstruction
This type of breast reconstruction uses an implant to restore breast contour.
Natural Tissue Reconstruction
This approach to breast reconstruction uses a patient’s own tissue to create a breast.
Lumpectomy & Oncoplastic Surgery
Lumpectomy removes only part of the breast to treat breast cancer. Oncoplastic surgery can help reduce any contour abnormalities it causes.
Secondary Procedures & Revision Surgery
In many cases, breast reconstruction takes multiple steps to complete. In others, patients may choose to have additional procedures to refine or correct their results.
Mastectomy & Genetic Mutations
Advances in mastectomy techniques and genetic testing have profoundly influenced breast reconstruction. This context may help you understand your options.
Recovery & Risks
Recovery, risks, and long-term maintenance are essential considerations as you choose a type of breast reconstruction.
Implant Reconstruction
This type of breast reconstruction uses an implant to restore breast contour.
Natural Tissue Reconstruction
This approach to breast reconstruction uses a patient’s own tissue to create a breast.
Lumpectomy & Oncoplastic Surgery
Lumpectomy removes only part of the breast to treat breast cancer. Oncoplastic surgery can help reduce any contour abnormalities it causes.
Secondary Procedures & Revision Surgery
In many cases, breast reconstruction takes multiple steps to complete. In others, patients may choose to have additional procedures to refine or correct their results.
Mastectomy & Genetic Mutations
Advances in mastectomy techniques and genetic testing have profoundly influenced breast reconstruction. This context may help you understand your options.
Recovery & Risks
Recovery, risks, and long-term maintenance are essential considerations as you choose a type of breast reconstruction.
Procedure information is provided by www.BreastReconstruction.org.
Legal Rights
Health insurance can be confusing. It is best for you to contact your insurance provider to ensure you have a clear understanding of your medical coverage.
If you have had a mastectomy or expect to have one, you may be entitled to special rights under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA).
WHCRA is a federal law that provides protections to patients who choose to have breast reconstruction in connection with a mastectomy. If WHCRA applies to you and you are receiving benefits in connection with a mastectomy and you elect breast reconstruction, coverage must be provided for:
- All stages of reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy has been performed;
- Surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance; and
- Prostheses and treatment of physical complications of all stages of the mastectomy, including lymphedema.
Group health plans (provided by an employer or union): WHCRA requires group health plans and health insurance companies (including HMOs), to notify individuals regarding coverage required under the law. Contact your employer’s plan administrator to find out if your group coverage is insured or self-funded, to determine what entity or entities regulate your benefits.
Individual health insurance policies (not based on employment): Health insurance sold to individuals (not through employment) is primarily regulated by State insurance departments. Contact your State’s insurance department to find out whether additional State law protections apply to your coverage if you are in an insured group health plan or have individual (non-employment based) health insurance coverage.
WHCRA does NOT require group health plans or health insurance issuers to cover mastectomies in general. If a group health plan or health insurance issuer chooses to cover mastectomies, then the plan or issuer is generally subject to WHCRA requirements.
For more information on WHCRA, click here or check out the Employee Benefits Security Administrations brochure titled “Your Rights After A Mastectomy.”