BCAC is fighting to get Sovereign Insurance to change its policy and reimburse women for the full cost of a breast reconstruction.
BCAC was recently contacted by Carolyn Kane who was diagnosed with breast cancer and is now seeking a breast reconstruction following her mastectomy.
Carolyn thought she would be able to get her breast reconstruction covered by her health insurance with Sovereign Insurance, but unfortunately Sovereign will only pay $15,000 towards a breast reconstruction after mastectomy because it is deemed to be a cosmetic procedure. You can read more about this issue here.
BCAC thinks it is completely wrong for Sovereign Insurance to clasify a breast reconstruction as cosmetic and has now written to Sovereign to ask it to change it's policy with regard to breast reconstruction immediately. You can read our open letter to Sovereign below.
Re: Reimbursement of breast reconstruction costs for Carolyn Kane and other breast cancer patients
Dear Mr Brewis-Weston,
The Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC) is an organisation representing over thirty breast cancer groups as well as individual patients throughout New Zealand. I write on behalf of the broad membership of BCAC to ask you to reconsider your decision in applying a $15,000 cap on breast reconstruction for Carolyn Kane and other patients.
Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment is extremely traumatic for patients, involving prolonged psychological stress and physical challenges. The loss of a breast is devastating for a woman, and often leads to a loss of self-esteem and confidence. Breast reconstruction is accepted in all developed countries as an essential element of breast cancer treatment, allowing both physical and psychological recovery. This is the view of New Zealand’s Ministry of Health (MoH). The recently published Standards of Service Provision for Breast Cancer Patients in New Zealand (MoH 2013) state that breast reconstruction should be offered to all women due to undergo mastectomy and that all surgical options need to be considered to achieve the best approach for each individual (see extracts from the Standards, attached to this letter as appendix 1).
Women need access to the wide range of breast reconstruction techniques offered by qualified oncoplastic surgeons. Selection of the most appropriate reconstructive method is a matter for detailed discussion between the surgeon and the patient, taking into account the patient’s physique, other cancer treatments, health and preferences. The type of reconstruction offered is certainly not a matter to be dictated by an insurance company.
To suggest that breast reconstruction following mastectomy is a purely cosmetic procedure is quite simply wrong. Women need access to breast reconstruction to allow them to overcome what is a significant disfigurement compromising their ongoing health and wellbeing. This is not a matter of vanity but of achieving a body form as close to normal as possible to allow women to achieve the best possible quality of life after breast cancer.
We note that this issue is gaining media attention, and that other insurance companies offer full reimbursement for breast reconstruction. I implore you, on behalf of Carolyn Kane and all the other women who have entrusted Sovereign Insurance with their health care, to immediately extend your cover to provide full reimbursement for breast reconstruction following breast cancer surgery.
Yours sincerely,
Libby Burgess, MNZM
BCAC Chairperson
