another question

[pinkbruise.livejournal.com]

i have endometriosis, and my doc gives me birth control to stop my periods, thus stopping the pain. the problem i have is my insurance company (blue cross blue shield) doesnt cover birth control, for any reason. i've had my doctor write them a letter explaining "medical necessity for endometriosis" and they refused it. are they're any other options for endo that ya'll know of? something that would be covered by stupid BCBS?

Comments

[simba20.livejournal.com]

I have learned that when dealing with insurance companies, that it is always wise to appeal any denial. My father dies five years ago from kidney failure, and a transplant wasn't an option. When my father was first diagnosed BCBS turned him down for nearly everything -- he always appealed.

I don't know what state your in, but I have BCBS of GA and BCPs are covered. Of course I don't use insurance for BCPs, I get them at my local Health department where I pay $30 for a six month supple, with my insurance it would be $60 for a six month supply.

Yes, I have Health Insurance but I am also so poor, I get things for nearly nothing at the Health Dept.

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[pinkbruise.livejournal.com]

and thats "covered" i'm looking at about 30 bucks a month. i suppose you're plan is cheaper heh

[melebeth]

I would definitely appeal if I were you. The pills are medically necessary for you - it may take some work, but since they're the standard treatment they should end up being covered. Also, some companies may market the hormones in a pill that isn't labeled as "birth control" and the insurance may be more willing to cover those.

[melebeth]

And so you don't feel like you're alone... http://www.covermypills.org/

[mertvie-tsveti.livejournal.com]

I don't know but I think that endometriosis would be better equipped in helping you. =)

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[pinkbruise.livejournal.com]

:) i thought of that after i posted. sorry guys.

.....they dont update so often over there...i'll look through memories

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[mertvie-tsveti.livejournal.com]

it's no problem, I just assumed that people over there would know how to help you better because it's specifically for endometriosis. And sometimes, just because people don't post in it often doesn't mean they don't read it.

[willingtofight.livejournal.com]

maybe do the planned parenthood route?

[elizabeth.livejournal.com]

That's what I was thinking too. I get my BC from Planned Parenthood and it is free since I am an extremely poor grad student.

appeal!

[perplexxi.livejournal.com]

i would definitely have the doctor continue to write letters, or for you to make copies and keep sending them. it took over a year for my insurance to starting covering my [medically needed] birth control. by that time, i only had a few months left until the insurance ran out! very aggravating. i would have gone to PPh, but the local chapter is disgusting.

[puttysan.livejournal.com]

www.smartwomanrx.com has pills for cheaper, so long as you can get a prescription for those brands.

[lucidandawake.livejournal.com]

hmm....i have blue cross blue shield and it covers EVERYTHING. my bc is covered (estrostep fe)....i dont understand why mine would and yours doesnt..perhaps it has to do with different state laws and what restrictions they put on womans programs?? *im in massachusetts*..or it could be the fact that i have BCBS HMO Blue...hmm..

i dunno hon,im perplexed.

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[pinkbruise.livejournal.com]

i have the blue cross blue shield informed choice plan....through my mother. and when she got it SHE didnt need birthcontrol (cause she was trying to have ME) ......

[ransim.livejournal.com]

Yeah i checked out the BCBS website for michigan... *gag* the site is very uninformative.

I also have BCBS but mine is Carefirst BCBS in Northern Virginia, and the coverage is damn good. Mine covers my depo completely except for 10 bucks. And here in VA the law states that insurance companies cannot deny anything for women's health concerns, like if you have an HMO you don't need a referral to see your GYN, and they cannot deny your health coverage for BC or anything like that.

its nice. Good luck though and fight them on it, check with the local government authority that regulates insurance companies, they can help as well.

[the-lissa.livejournal.com]

My doctor prescribed me mefenamic acid to help with the pain caused by my endometriosis, and it isn't a bcp. However, it didn't work for me, but it may work for you.

[katlynel.livejournal.com]

http://www.smartwomanrx.com
http://www.femscript.com
http://www.canadapharmacy.com
And, of course, Planned Parenthood.