July 17, 2005

Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont stops covering some HRT

I try to keep up on my reading about the latest on fibroids, hysterectomy and ovarian cancer. One of the easiest ways to do this is to set up a Google News Alert, where Google will email you a list of links to stories that fit your search.

That's how I found this article in the Times Argus: Insurer pulls plug on drug for menopause. It's about a woman in Vermont who had an oophorectomy at 29 and has been on HRT ever since but after years of trial and error finally found that Estriol actually worked for her. But her insurance is now refusing to cover it because it's "natural estrogen" and not approved by the FDA.

I'm posting about this because all of us have to be vigilant about erosions in our health care system. It's fine to have surgery and think that a pill is going to solve our problems later on, but it's another thing entirely to find out that we have to bear the cost entirely by ourselves. Not only is it unfair that a proven but unapproved treatment is denied under the coverage, it also squeezes out these small pharmacies that seek to give their clients personalized care instead of the huge mail-order pharmacies that most of us have been forced to use in the past few years.

The article talks about defending women against a lack of options for controlling menopause symptoms, but another major factor is women who've had oophorectomy for such conditions as endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome being denied a treatment option that can protect their hearts, cardiovascular system, bones and teeth. It seems extremely short-sighted on the part of the insurance companies. I wish there were a tick box on my insurance when I sign up for coverage where I can say, "I'd like all prescriptions that my doctor deems necessary to be covered, not just the ones you think are cost-effective."

Posted by Elizabeth M. on July 17, 2005 12:31 PM


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It is truly unfortunate blue cross stopped covering some HRT. Although health insurance is a major aspect to many lives and I hope everyone stays covered.

I understand how you feel and other have felt the same way. However, it sounds like this type of medicine can be bought at GNC stores. And usually insurance won't cover organic supplements like the one you are speaking of. If it is available at a GNC store it should be very inexpensive. If this is not the case. The client should send in a request to Blue Cross Blue Shield to have the medicine covered

www.EasyToInsureME.com



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