maleficent

In the September issue of Fitness magazine (which I picked up tonite because it's got lots of good stuff on destressing and such) it had a very informative article on laws that are in palce to protect your health.

Now, sorry non -US Citizens, it only applies to US laws

1. Your insurer should pay for birth control pills.
The Decision: Erickson v Bartell Drug Company
The Benefit: A landmark court case ruled that excluding birth control pills from an otherwise comprehensive prescription plan constituted sex discrimination. The case established a legal precedent that women have successfully used to get teir employers to include contraceptives in their prescription drug benefit.
For More Info: The National Women's Law Center guide to "Contraceptive Equality Laws in your State: Know your Rights, Use Your rights" explains what to do if your insurance company doesn't cover the pill.
Website: http://www.nwlc.org/pill4us/

2. Cervical and Breast Cancer screenings and treatments are guarenteed.
The Law: The Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act
The Benefit: This makes breast and cervical cancer screenings and treatment more accessible. Both of these potentially fatal cancers are highly treatable if detected early. However many low and moderate income women have no health insurance and make too much money to qualify for medicaid. As a result, they don't get screenings.
To qualify for free treatment, women must first be diagnosed at a medical provider that participates in this program. The law has been adapted in all 50 states.
Website to find a clinic: www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/contacts.htm

3. Breast Reconstruction after a Mastectomy is your right.
The Law: The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act
The Benefit: If a health insurance plan covers mastectomy, it must also pay for the post surgical care, including breast reconstruction and treatment for such complications as painful swelling around the armpits and lymph nodes.
For More Info: US Dept of Labor Website. http:\\www.dol.gov/ebsa/publcations/wherea.html

4. New moms can stay in the hospital as long as necessary.
The Law: Newborn's and Mother's Health Protection Act
The Benefit: Group health plans that offer maternity coverage must pay for a minimum two day hospital stay following childbirth and at least four days if the delivery was via a C-Section. Health Plans are not allowed to offer rebates to mothers for accepting shorter stays, provide incentives, impose penalties or reduce reimbursement amounts to encourage doctors to prescribe quick stays.
For More Info: US Dept of Labor Website. http:\\www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/newborns.html


I'm tired of typing right now, I'll get the other 8 in tomorrow.

I thought this was great info, cause I wasn't aware of it, and thought I'd share.

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sexymama

Thanks for sharing. I'm glad insurance has to now pay for birth control -- it only makes sense!

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sillygirl

yeah, now what about those of us who don't have benefits?

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RainbowBright

all this talk about women's health gets me stirred up! any male politician who thinks he should decide how my body is treated makes me so angry. but then maybe that's a debate for a different thread...

hunnychile

This was a great post and very empowering for us Ladies! Thanks a Million Maleficent! Send more whenever you have time.

We Ladies are the Majority in numbers in the USA. We can rock (and protect our rights) with the strength of our educated Votes!

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Grasshopper Green

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRr. I just got back from my appointment (see other thread regarding cramps and birth control). I already knew that my company didn't cover contraceptives, but I honestly had no idea how expensive they are. $45 dollars a month....which is going to stretch my already thin budget even thinner. I just looked online to see what else was excluded, and viagra wasn't among them. So I guess it's ok for men to screw but women can't take preventitive measures against it????? WTF!!! I am so pissed off right now.

Thanks for the link to the contraceptive ruling, mal. I am taking this up with my employer on Monday morning. I just hope I manage to maintain my cool and not raise holy hell, because I know it's not his fault directly, but this is absolute bullshit.

greeneyes

I know what it's like to not have birth control covered by an insurance provider. I talked about it with my gynecologist and she actually recommended going to Planned Parenthood because they base everything on a sliding scale. I can use my insurance for the exam and any lab work just as I did before and my pills there cost $15 a month or $42 for three months. I was worried that I made too much money for it to make a difference for me, but I was wrong. At the time, I was the branch manager at one of the top banks in Indiana and that was all I was paying. The exam and lab work is set up on a sliding scale as well and my first visit (which is always a little more because of your "new patient" status) cost $75 and that was for the exam, a full round of STD testing including HIV, a pregnancy test, and one Diflucan for a yeast-infection I was fighting. Aside from the sign on the door and the cost difference, it was just like seeing my old gynecologist.

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ShaniFaye

Having been off the pill for a few years, I went back on in September, I was VERY pleasantly surprised to find out my insurance covered them now. I already knew they paid 100% of mamograms, which is great since I've had to have them since I was 30 (because of the history of breast cancer in my family) but finding out about my pills was like a great big present

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I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!

Grasshopper Green

greeneyes, I will probably end up going to Planned Parenthood to see if I qualify as well, I already discussed that with hubby as soon as I left the pharmacy. I looked on their website and it said that you can get the pill without a pelvic exam at some locations (yay! I wouldn't have to have a second one!). Hopefully that will help me out in the finance department.

Sage

if you've already had a pelvic exam in the last year, tell the place you're going and bring a copy of the results with you. i got screened for an IUD at my local health dept, and they didn't have to do an inital consult because i'd already had one in the last year. good luck!

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Sweetpea

Fantastic Mal . . . Thanks for posting such important information . . . knowledge is power!

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Ananas

Great info, Mal. Thanks for passing it along.

I propose that we all forward this info to our friends, family and co-workers so that the word gets out. As sweetpea said, knowledge is power.