Insurer to Pay for Boy's Breast Surgery

Insurer to Pay for Boy's Breast Surgery

abcnews.go.com

NEW YORK Apr 3, 2007 (AP)— An insurer that refused to pay for a teenage boy's breast reduction surgery on the ground that it was cosmetic must reimburse his father for the operation, an appeals court ruled Tuesday.

The Supreme Court's Appellate Division decision upheld two lower court rulings that directed Group Health Inc. (GHI) to pay for the surgery because it was "medically necessary" for the boy to lead a normal life.

(visit the link for the full news article)

I've been looking for news to post in the BTS breaking news section, and this one seems worthy.

But as for the comments section, I er, um well if, you know,

Should an insurer be forced to pay for something like this?


abcnews.go.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Since the boobs were a result of a medical condition, I would have to say yes it... they should be covered by the policy.

Only in that circumstance would I agree with the court. If the enlargement were the result of steroid use or obesity, then the insurance provider should not be liable.

This "condition" seems to be caused more from being overweight than an actual disease. I have a friend of mine that may very well suffer from this "condition." Also, isn't this something that used to just be referred to as being "barrel chested?" When did they stick a medical name on it?

[edit on 3-4-2007 by SpeakerofTruth]

According to the story, he had gynecomastia that means his breasts had over developed glandular tissue and actually resembled female breasts, not just fat breasts like a lot of overweight men have. So if that's true, I think it's a legitimate medical procedure that should be covered by insurance.

Hmm... so the plot thickens? Seems there are many possible causes of this condition, so I retract my previous opinion.

Breasts, Male

True Gynecomastia
This is defined as enlargement of male breast(s) caused by excessive glandular breast tissue. A true excess glandular breast tissue in men is not common. There are a number of distinct causes of gynecomastia including alcoholism, failure of the testicles to produce sufficient testosterone hormone, and many medications. Bilateral gynecomastia can also be associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, renal failure treated with hemodialysis, certain cancers such as testicular cancer, and adrenal corticosteroid secreting tumors. If a male has a single enlarged breast then one must consider the possibility of a true breast tumor. Any significant asymmetry of the male breasts, especially if there is a history of recent onset of asymmetric growth, should prompt the surgeon to consider a mammogram.

Drugs Drugs that can cause gynecomastia include...

More information and a history is needed.

There is no question that breast development in boys is more than a cosmetic concern. I'm just a little surprised that this had to go to the appellate level, but that's what happens when bean counters control the medical purse strings.

Gynecomastia can also occur in adults.

wait wait wait!

breast reduction on a male?

he had bitch tits?


is that the medical term?


I want bewbs.

Beeeeeeeeeewbs...

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewbs!!

damn you Blueracer.

After reading this thread I thought this was important to the topic.

It's a thread I started a while back about how tea tree oil was causing breast development in boys.
www.abovetopsecret.com...

Gynecomastia is a very embarrassing condition for boys and is becoming more common as our population becomes fatter.

How would you like to be a 16 year old boy and have to take your shirt off in gym class, and then have the rest of the class laugh at you because you have bigger boobs then their girlfriends ??? :shk:

Man if I had me some titties.

I wouldn't leave the house!

And just for the record I do have bigger bewbs than most of the girls in Hong Kong, but it's not difficult.

If you're in to fried eggs then this is the place for you!



And yes I'm fully aware that there is more to a woman than her cup size!

Small ones are more juicy naturally!



[edit on 29/6/07 by ChiKeyMonKey]

Originally posted by UM_Gazz
Should an insurer be forced to pay for something like this?

Gawd I hate insurance companies. The literal answer is that they shouldn't have to be forced. They oughta just do it. The court ought to not only force them to pay, but force them to cover the family in perpetuity for all health conditions per the policy, without them paying further premiums.

There are companies out there that deny virtually every claim and make the insured fight for the coverage they're paying for. The longer they delay paying even legitimate claims the more profitable they are. Time value of $$.

Bastards.