tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7000037523261671822024-03-13T21:08:44.502-07:00Breast Cancer Reconstruction ChoicesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-700003752326167182.post-71781287912637329272013-02-14T08:00:00.000-08:002013-02-14T08:00:02.583-08:00Happy Valentine's Day from Breast Cancer Reconstruction Choices! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ikwpXUxG4rw/URx1f3H6wjI/AAAAAAAACik/654uNp2khmQ/s1600/BCRC+Valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ikwpXUxG4rw/URx1f3H6wjI/AAAAAAAACik/654uNp2khmQ/s400/BCRC+Valentine.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-700003752326167182.post-36187573271489670812012-07-30T20:10:00.000-07:002012-07-30T20:10:58.966-07:00Insurance and Your Reconstruction Rights<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjnMqv2cl1M/Tycpz8c7muI/AAAAAAAAA44/E9n7OodoZlk/s1600/reconstruction%2Bwordle.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="159" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703573425465563874" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjnMqv2cl1M/Tycpz8c7muI/AAAAAAAAA44/E9n7OodoZlk/s200/reconstruction%2Bwordle.jpg" style="float: right; height: 256px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 320px;" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Will my insurance cover my reconstruction??</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">This is a very important question for many women facing mastectomy. The<a href="http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/Publications/whcra.html"> Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) of 1998</a> is a federal mandate with protections for women who will have mastectomy because of a cancer diagnosis or other medical reasons. The <a href="http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/Publications/whcra.html">WHCRA</a> declares that</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;">if a group health plan covers a mastectomy, the plan must also provide reconstructive surgery and other post-mastectomy benefits for the patient, including procedures for the opposite (non-cancerous) breast to restore symmetry.</span><span style="font-family: verdana; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"><i>“Under WHCRA, group health plans, insurance companies and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) offering mastectomy coverage also must provide coverage for certain services relating to the mastectomy in a manner determined in consultation with your attending physician and you. This required coverage includes all stages of reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was performed, surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance, prostheses and treatment of physical complications of the mastectomy, including lymphedema.</i></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><i> “ </i>(<a href="http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/publications/whcra.htm">taken from U.S. Dept of Labor website</a>)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">The WHCRA is a complicated federal law and insurance plan requirements vary by state. <b>A health plan should consider the patient's reconstruction of choice to be a covered benefit when the insurance covers mastectomy.</b> Deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance requirements for reconstructive surgery must be consistent with other benefits offered in the health plan. Each patient should be sure to find out what their out-of-pocket costs will be after insurance coverage for reconstruction surgery is verified.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">It is also a must for each patient to find out if their particular health plan is subject to this federal law. </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Find out more information by calling your health plan directly, your <a href="http://www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm">State Insurance Commissioner’s office</a> or the <a href="http://www.dol.gov/dol/contact/">US Department of Labor </a>at their toll free number: 1-</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; line-height: 115%;">866-487-2365. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 18px;">Your reconstructive surgeon's office should be very experienced in billing health insurance for all stages of reconstructive surgery. Not only do you want a surgeon who routinely performs the reconstruction surgery of your choice, but also has exceptional office personnel and experience in billing insurance for these procedures.</span></div>Margeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06703520868047427150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-700003752326167182.post-23161148533521808942012-03-09T11:32:00.000-08:002012-03-09T11:32:24.714-08:00Photos are on Facebook from C4YW 2012 NOLA!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Young survivors sharing and caring with other survivors is EMPOWERING! </span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
Breast Cancer Reconstruction Choices launched their first convention booth in New Orleans at C4YW 2012 and it was a smashing success! If you were there, you know our booth was THE place to be. You can check out all those amazing photos on our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BreastCancerReconstructionChoices" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page: </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/BreastCancerReconstructionChoices"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><i>http://www.facebook.com/BreastCancerReconstructionChoices</i></span></b></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Be sure to like our Facebook page and tag yourself in the pictures. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We will have contests through the end of March for the most likes, shares & comments on your photos <i>(be sure to tell your friends!)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="165" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kl6wCx5QDms/T1pSjc6GHXI/AAAAAAAACI0/HM7yE9AhasU/s400/BCRC+Collage.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<br />
Thanks to <a href="http://www.c4yw.org/" target="_blank">C4YW</a> (Conference for Young Women), <a href="http://youngsurvival.org/" target="_blank">YSC</a> (Young Survivor Coalition) & <a href="http://www.lbbc.org/" target="_blank">LBBC</a> (Living Beyond Breast Cancer) for putting together an amazing experience. We'll see you at C4YW in Seattle in 2013!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-700003752326167182.post-54668972984742414692012-02-22T05:36:00.000-08:002012-02-22T05:36:51.946-08:00PINK GLOVE DANCE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/OEdVfyt-mLw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Thanks to Medline for the pink gloves, and thanks to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland Oregon for sharing this with the world. If this doesn't make you get up and dance (or at least smile), I don't know what will!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-700003752326167182.post-27610754745969659662012-02-09T15:02:00.000-08:002012-03-28T09:11:25.197-07:00Why Breast Reconstruction?<br />
<div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Many times a breast cancer diagnosis comes with a crappy to do
list which may include "get a mastectomy." After a doctor recommends
mastectomy, trying to comprehend all of the medical decisions that need to be
made can be overwhelming to say the least.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The goal of breast reconstruction is to restore the appearance of
a natural breast when one is lost for medical reasons. Not every patient will
elect to have reconstructive breast surgery, but every patient should at least
consider her breast reconstruction options. Breast reconstruction can be an
important part of rebuilding a women's self-esteem after losing a breast to
cancer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Although reconstruction can be done separately after mastectomy,
even many years later, there are advantages to having the reconstruction
process started at the same time as mastectomy.<span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i> </i></b></span><b><i>There are many
options for reconstructing a breast.</i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Make
sure you are informed about<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i>all</i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of them. A plastic surgeon performs
breast reconstruction surgery. A patient should arrange for a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/breast-reconstruction.html?sub=What%20to%20expect%20during%20your%20consultation#content"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">consultation to discuss treatment options</span></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A cancer diagnosis means physical changes as well as emotional
challenges. Although a cancer diagnosis can certainly send someone into a
tailspin, it is important for a woman to take the time to fully understand her
reconstructive options before deciding on her surgical care. This may not be
easy since there are many factors to consider: the stage of breast cancer,
overall health of patient, the size of natural breast, availability of tissue
if considering a tissue-based reconstruction, ability to match other breast,
recovery time needed, coordinating with chemotherapy and radiation therapy if
necessary. Making the commitment to investigate reconstructive options as soon
as possible can have a lasting benefit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">At<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://breastcancerreconstructionchoices.com/">BreastCancerReconstructionChoices</a>,
our goal is to educate and empower women facing mastectomy by providing
information about breast reconstruction options.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: #6d9eeb; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Making the commitment to investigate reconstructive options
as extensively as possible, can have lasting benefits for mastectomy patients. We hope to
assist survivors in this process by providing information and encouragement.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our goal is to support each patient in their journey.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Empower</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Educate</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Advocate</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> A good resource with a
general overview of breast reconstruction is available from<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Reconstructive-Procedures/Breast-Reconstruction.html"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The American Society of Plastic Surgeons<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xWZHJ5AmJfg/T0KeaeidEwI/AAAAAAAAA6s/hV64kXB3qTM/s1600/pink+construction+cone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xWZHJ5AmJfg/T0KeaeidEwI/AAAAAAAAA6s/hV64kXB3qTM/s320/pink+construction+cone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>Margeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06703520868047427150noreply@blogger.com0