Women Denied Health Insurance for Prior C-Sections
With the number of people seeking private health insurance steadily growing, private insurers are looking for more ways to deny or limit coverage. One particular reason for denial has been receiving press attention lately. According to an article in the New York Times, women are finding themselves denied private insurance coverage or being charged higher premiums after a delivery by cesarean section.
This decision is due to the fact that women who have one c-section are more likely to have a c-section in subsequent deliveries if they become pregnant again. It’s unknown how many women have been denied coverage for this reason, but since the number of people seeking private insurance in the US is around 18 million and steadily increasing, and the c-section rate has hit an all time high of 31.1 percent, it is likely that this will be a growing trend in the private insurance industry.
The unfortunate thing pointed out by the New York Times article, is that women are often at the mercy of their doctor, hospital and insurance company over the decision to have a c-section. Many doctors and hospitals opt to deliver by c-section at the slightest hint of a problem to avoid liability, and some doctors and hospitals have banned vaginal birth after cesarean (VBACs) due to the liability associated with a very small increase in the risk of uterine rupture or other delivery complications.
If you’re otherwise healthy, and have been denied coverage because of a prior c-section, or if you were forced to have a second c-section due to hospital or doctor policy, share your story here!
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