Legislation and the insurance companies

I did a little research and found out the following:

In 1998, a law was passed in the USA that now forces insurance companies to pay for any type of reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy. The law also stipulates that the insurance company has to pay for a bilateral mastectomy (both sides) should that be the patient's decision.

Prior to 1998, patient's usually opted for a lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy because it was the most economical way to go for treatment of early stage breast cancer.

Also, states are now mandating insurance plans to STOP the "drive-through" mastectomy....where patient's are basically considered out-patient and discharged ASAP.

This is good information to know. There are options out there. It's a decision that you and your surgeon decide together, and your insurance company cannot dictate what you can and cannot have done :)