My insurance covers circ 100% - what can I do to change their policy?

[Flower of Bliss]

So, I got a statement about what my insurance covers for prenatal care and birth from my CNM office during my visit today. It stated my copay for prenatal care ($30 one time), ultrasounds (100% covered), hospital birth ($250 copay), and then circ (100% covered)! I wrote in big print on the form DO NOT CIRC. This was just a statement about coverage, so I know that doesn't prevent my baby from being circed, but I couldn't just sign it without saying SOMETHING. I was so disturbed that it was even mentioned. I'm not planning to birth with the CNM. I'm just doing the visits that are covered by insurance to get all of my lab work done to save on my out of pocket expenses for a homebirth. I'm not concerned about my baby possibly being circed.

I'm just upset about the fact that it's covered at all (and to a lesser extent I'm upset that the office mentions it like it's a normal procedure). What can I do to change my insurance company's policy covering the horrid and completely elective procedure??

[latinalonestar]

I am drafting a letter to send to insurance companies. I'd be happy to get you a copy to send to your insurance company when I am finished.

[Ron_Low]

If this is employer-paid coverage, the employer decides what they want covered and the insurance company comes up with a price for the premiums.

CAUTION: In August 2001 I wrote a letter about insurance covering circ to my company's VP of human resources. I included an estimate of the potential dollars saved. Apparently he didn't appreciate it and I got scolded by my boss for not running it past him first, but in the end it was a cost-saving idea and my job was specifically to save the company money (process-improvement engineer), so they couldn't say anything.

Then 9/11 hit and our business declined dramatically, necessitating lay-offs. The VP of human resources was the guy who decided which departments would lose how many people. In my department it was just me and my boss. Guess which one of us was out of a job 2 weeks before xmas?

Cheers,

[latinalonestar]

Originally Posted by ron_low

if this is employer-paid coverage, the employer decides what they want covered and the insurance company comes up with a price for the premiums.

Caution: In august 2001 i wrote a letter about insurance covering circ to my company's vp of human resources. I included an estimate of the potential dollars saved. Apparently he didn't appreciate it and i got scolded by my boss for not running it past him first, but in the end it was a cost-saving idea and my job was specifically to save the company money (process-improvement engineer), so they couldn't say anything.

Then 9/11 hit and our business declined dramatically, necessitating lay-offs. The vp of human resources was the guy who decided which departments would lose how many people. In my department it was just me and my boss. Guess which one of us was out of a job 2 weeks before xmas?

Cheers,

terrible!!!

[PuppyFluffer]

Wow Ron, I can't say that I'm too surprised.

Ultimately, itsn't it the insurance company though. If they didn't ever offer to cover circ, then the employer could not request it as a covered service for the group plan.

[kristin0713]

I would send such a letter to my insurance company--please post it or send me a PM if you don't mind!

I agree that ultimately it is up to insurance companies. It should not be covered, period.

[serendipity22]

It might be possible to mention that until 1977 Blue Cross (i think it was)
insurance covered clitoridectomies. (unsure of spelling)

[tammyswanson]

Latinalonestar, you may want to also include that circumcisions increase the length of hospital stays and can lead to complications which are expensive. But I know you already know that.

Rob, that is horrible, you were doing your job and they got mad about that. I guess the VP has some personal issues at stake, maybe? Sadly, those that speak the truth are not always appreciated.