Aetna Plans
Kaiser Permanente HMO Plan
Women's Health & Cancer Rights Act: Notification of Rights
The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 was enacted on October 21, 1998. It provides certain protections for breast cancer patients who elect breast reconstruction in connection with a mastectomy.
Specifically, the Act requires that health plans cover post-mastectomy reconstructive breast surgery if they provide medical and surgical coverage for mastectomies. Coverage must be provided for:
- Reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy has been performed.
- Surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance.
- Prostheses and physical complications of all stages of mastectomies, including lymphedemas.
The benefits required under the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act must be provided in a manner determined by the attending physician in consultation with the patient.
These benefits are subject to the health plan's regular co-payments and deductibles. If you have any questions about your health plan's coverage of mastectomies and reconstructive surgery, please call the Member Services phone number on the back of your ID card.