Insurer Must Pay for Boy’s Breast Reduction Surgery, N.Y. Court Rules

April 5, 2007

  • April 6, 2007 at 12:06 pm
    Matchmaker says:
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    May I suggest AmericanSingles.com….or some really good Employement Practices Liability?

  • April 6, 2007 at 12:32 pm
    Adirondacker says:
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    Gosh, sounds like I may need a good lawyer, (good lawyer, now that IS funny) know any cute ones?

  • April 9, 2007 at 1:52 am
    Arnold says:
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    how about anabolic steriod use by the teenager? Maybe he just wanted to pump them up some! I\’ll be back!

  • April 9, 2007 at 2:13 am
    Matchmaker says:
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    Might want to read the prior posts and research the medical condition before jumping to an assumption.

  • April 10, 2007 at 1:02 am
    Rossman says:
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    The fact remains that this is a cosmetic procedure; however, later in ones life bilateral gynecomastia can cause pain thus warranting legitimate medical claim. Until that fact ensues, the only need for this surgery is due to self-esteem and to change ones appearance due to self-esteem is purely cosmetic. Now let us think logically not emotionally when dealing with this issue. If surgeries where the only ailment is self-esteem are covered by insurers, how many people will take advantage and correct everything that one finds unpleasant to the eye? To counteract that increase, insurers would raise premiums by a substantial amount (due to the high costs of plastic surgery). Now that I have shown the cost will be absolved by \”YOU\” and everyone else (regardless of you electing to have one of these procedures or not), How do you feel about the issue now?

    I know that many people will ask, \”but Ross where is your compassion?\” I will respond with two things. First, I have no compassion. Second, if I did have compassion it would go to those who are in need of medical intervention or they die. My compassion also goes to those that will no longer be able to afford coverage, due to the substantial increase in premium. Also an increase in uninsureds will also lead to an increase in hospital costs. Even if you don\’t have insurance hospitals are obligated by law to stabilize you and the cost gets passed on to those that can pay (AKA insurers, who will then pass the costs to you…Again).

    In conclusion, I am asking that people think before act. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Before you act you must know and understand the reaction, if that is too hard for you then you have no say on the action.

  • April 11, 2007 at 2:15 am
    Four-eyes says:
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    I have had to wear thick glasses ever since I was 7 years old because of extreme nearsightedness. Think of all the humiliation I endured throughout school. If this precedent holds, my kids should be able to get laser surgery on their eyes paid for by my health insurance because that will prevent the self-esteem issues of growing up with glasses!

  • April 12, 2007 at 4:13 am
    SPS says:
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    My son, 12, has large breasts. He is also overweight. He could have liposuction removing fat but it would not cure the underlying problem which is an abnormal amount of tissue. I underwent liposuction of my chest as a conservative approach to the same problem. It was not the answer for which I had hoped. I will undergo tissue removal now because I still have boobs and pain in both sides. (Plus, one side is larger than the other.)
    There is no question that the condition adversely affects my son\’s mental and physical health. In large part, because of the teasing (which I have personally witnessed), he is less likely to swim, play tennis, etc. This only compounds the weight issue which does make the condition appear worse.
    Our hearts ache for him and while we were delaying surgical considerations for him until he was just a few years older and possibly trimmer, we fear it shouldn\’t wait any longer.
    We could afford the surgery for him without insurance coverage. For those who cannot and continue to suffer, I think the court\’s decision is proper. I appreciate the question of line-drawing: where should covered treatment begin and end? Firsthand, I know this is a real condition caused by genetic and hormonal imbalances. I know it has real health ramifications that by covered surgery can be cured and even prevented. It should be covered.
    Many of the postings here are insensitive. They are not unlike what my son endures on a daily basis. If you one day meet my son or someone like him, I hope you\’ll be considerate and more understanding.

  • April 14, 2007 at 7:30 am
    Jim Robert says:
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    There was a boy who must have had this condition when I attended high school. I found myself next to him one day in the gym shower room and I remember being amazed by his appearance and feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Luckily, we were a good bunch of kids and no one teased him but I still think anyone in that condition should be covered.



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