rape as a pre-existing condition

[rm]

Do I need to say this is about to be triggery as hell?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/21/insurance-companies-rape-_n_328708.html

Scenario 1: Woman is raped. Almost two decades go by. She is raped again. When she tries to get coverage for health services related to the rape, her claims are denied because her first rape made her second rape a pre-existing condition.

Scenario 2: Woman is raped. Woman takes HIV drugs as a precautionary measure. Woman is now uninsurable in most cases. If she is able to get or maintain insurance she most likely would not be covered should she contract AIDS or any STD in the future.

Just so we're clear, these scenarios (which have really happened to non-hypothetical, non-fictitious women) are more than barbaric. They both brand women as responsible for their rapes and therefore not entitled to care related to their sexual and emotional selves -- that's only for insurance-defined "good girls" apparently.

Pissed off yet? Well, wait, because there's more, because a host of other scenarios like this are out there (check out the comments to this post, which include "domestic violence as a pre-existing condition" and a woman who was inseminated so she could have kids with her female partner being denied health insurance on the grounds of the infertility she didn't have), and if they haven't happened yet, they probably will soon.

Here's the deal about health insurance and being female: Being female is effectively considered a disease by insurers, despite the fact that women have much longer life expectancies than men. Women are also dealt with as children who are incapable of making informed decisions about their own bodies; whether it's birth control, abortion or pregnancy-related services, insurers will tell you over and over again that they know better than you or your doctor.

Choosing to have an abortion? May not be covered if it's not "medically necessary" and what's "medically necessary" isn't decided by you or your doctor, but by your insurance company. If mental health is a factor, forget about it (I've seen this one in action repeatedly). My abortion was part of the RU486 trial, and I still had to pay $400 for it (about ten years ago); it was not covered by insurance.

Want birth control? It'll probably cost you more than Viagra or similar medications on many insurance plans. A man has a right to fuck, but a woman doesn't have the same right to not get pregnant, apparently. (Once again, see comments -- this may or may not now actually be less fucked than I remember it being; it's been a long time since I was on oral birth control and I know regulations on insurance companies regarding this has changed since that time -- people's experiences with this seem to vary, but there's still definitely a problem on at least some plans or in some regions).

Have you decided to be child-free? Well, that's nice, but chances are there's no way for you to decline coverage for pregnancy related services (even if you've had your tubes tied), because as a woman, you apparently don't really know what you want and are likely to change your mind (and hey, you might get raped!). And if you want a medical procedure to ensure your child-free status? As one commenter notes, good luck. Odds are your insurance plan will cover a vasectomy, but as a woman? Sorry, no procedures for you! Why? Well, you could change your mind.

Having a baby? Well, if you've had a c-section before, your insurance company is going to tell you, you have to have one again, even if you and your doctor are comfortable with you trying for a VBAC. That is if they don't, as noted in the comments, just quit insuring you altogether.

Need a mammogram before age 40 because of a family history of breast cancer? Well, most insurers will make you wait even if breast cancer killed one of your relatives at age 39. Maybe, if you're really lucky, you'll figure out how to get seen at a free-screening clinic in a low-income neighborhood -- if it exists, if you're eligible, and if doing that won't cause anything breast health related to be termed a pre-existing condition and be not covered by your insurance forever more. That's right, if you have a family history of breast cancer, you may not be able to afford to have the screenings that could save your life -- even if you are insured!

The bias in all this is exhausting, but so is the lip-service paid to women's equality by executives and politicians who think this is all just fine. Fuck you. Come out and say it. We're children and chattel to you. And if we're very good and beg hard enough and don't get raped, maybe, just maybe you'll insure us and then we can be worth some cash too.

Comments

[sykii.livejournal.com]

Don't forget making sure we don't get abused by intimate partners either, since domestic violence is also a pre-existing condition (yes I said this on Tsarina's version of this post, but not everyone knows, and everyone should).

[rm.livejournal.com]

Right! God, I forgot about that. What was that? A week ago? This shit is fast and furiously fucked!

[julesndairyland.livejournal.com]

As always you are so eloquent.

I, on the other hand, usually start cussing and throwing obscene gestures.

[affreca.livejournal.com]

Also, for some plans you have to get extra insurance to cover pregnancy (up to a year before you get pregnant), and still cost more than men's insurance.

[woogledesigns.livejournal.com]

This is why, for all its faults, I still heart the NHS.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Yes!

[firefly124.livejournal.com]

That is so far beyond fucked up that I just don't even have words for it.

[graene.livejournal.com]

that.

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

Speaking of reproductive coverage, some friends of mine (M&K) had twin boys a few years back and soon thereafter M switched jobs to one that doesn't offer domestic partner benefits. This made her partner K uninsured.

They assumed they could purchase independent insurance for K, but she was denied because she'd had to have fertility treatments to get pregnant with the boys. She tried to explain that she was not infertile, it's just that her partner didn't have a dick and so she needed to be inseminated. She explained that she wasn't planning on having any more kids and that they did not have to cover fertility treatments of any kind for her. No luck. She wasn't covered for nearly two years.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Christ. Added to initial post.

[phaetonschariot.livejournal.com]

One of the comments on that article said that the poster's mother had asked her doctor if she should do anything to prevent osteoporosis as she got older. Then she got denied for health insurance for pre-existing condition, because apparantly saying osteoporosis is the same as having it.

[rm.livejournal.com]

There's a reason I'm only "presumed-celiac" other than I think the testing is barbaric and unnecessary (since there's no treatment but the diet), and that's because I'm better off in the curent climate if it's "all in my head."

[rm.livejournal.com]

Added to the initial post.

[abnormal-apathy.livejournal.com]

You forgot to mention that if we've opted to be child free we also don't have the right to take any kind of measure to ensure that we remain that way. I am ineligible for a hysterectomy even though I'm infertile and have absolutely NO chance of natural conception because I've never had a child. I am also too young (when I began this argument I was 28) to decide that I do not want a child because "I might change my mind some day."

[rm.livejournal.com]

Aaaaaaaaargh! I didn't know this, although it should have occurred to me.

[contrarywise]

I have no words.

Re: Viagra vs. Birth Control

[rm.livejournal.com]

I know that the oral birth control thing has changed at some point in the last five years, so it's less fucked up than it used to be. I can't remember if this is on a national or state level though. This is all post my own use of it, so I don't actually have the info active in my head (it was really fucked up when I was on BC -- mine was covered, but that was considered rare, and it did cost me more than other prescriptions, including Viagra), so you may be right that on this score at least the current state of affairs may not be as fucked as I think (thank god!)

I've updated the post to note that things on this score may in fact be less grim than I recall. I expect someone will eventually show up with links. Hopefully there's a little good news in all of this. *sigh*

[chris-walsh.livejournal.com]

Linked, because A) this deserves to be read and B) I can't add to this.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Do not even start me.

However, I am hoping that the more shit like this and not covering babies for being "too fat" or "too short" is dragged into the light and waved around, the faster we're going to get actual health care reform.

[vichan.livejournal.com]

Jesus. I read this, was appropriately horrified, then clicked on "add comment" and saw your additions and the comments here.

Now I have no fucking words.

[laufeyette.livejournal.com]

A man has a right to fuck, but a woman doesn't have the same right to not get pregnant, apparently.

This is why I'm not on birth control and it pisses me off. The last time I saw a gynecologist it wasn't covered at all by my insurance and I paid out the ass for it.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Can I ask what state or region you're in for reference?

[cozzene.livejournal.com]

I have to say I was so worried--for other reasons--about having birth control listed on my medical charts that i quit filling my script and began ordering my medication from India. I could get a 9 month supply for less than what it cost with Rx coverage here.

[karnythia.livejournal.com]

You know my story. I've been basically uninsurable since 19 because of my leg. Employer based plans can't technically deny me because VA has technically provided continuous coverage, but there's no way for me to get through a whole year without needing care for my legs and they won't pay for it. If they can find a way to relate something to my legs, my boobs (BRCA 1 & 2), or my uterus then that's not covered either. I'm pursuing a federal job at this point because it's the only way to make sure we won't end up bankrupted if something catastrophic happens.

[saraphina-marie.livejournal.com]

As for pregnancy, I am on my own, my insurer flat-out won't cover it unless I have a complication then it should trigger my regular insurance. Should being the operative word. Unless they choose to deny me because of my age (approaching 34, 35 is their cut-off for a "normal" pregnancy) or my BMI (currently 31 and considered "obese" and a pre-existing condition-a whole other irritating matter!! I wear a size 14! I am not "obese"!) which puts me into a double high-risk category. Out of pocket pre-natal and delivery and post-partum care start at $10,000 in our area. And that was last year.
So, I honestly don't know what to do. I literally cannot afford to have a child. Unless of course I lost my job and let the state deal with me.

My new health plan also stopped covering my birth control because of their screwy prescription system (not targeting the BC in specific). Thank heavens for $9 generics at Kroger!!

[imaginarycircus.livejournal.com]

I keep expecting to hear that life is a pre-existing condition and is not covered.

[gallo-de-pelea.livejournal.com]

"Have you been born at any time in the past?"

[girlingoldboots.livejournal.com]

I have no words. Really. My Blue Cross tried that when I had my first lapyroscopy (sp?) for the endometriosis. They weren't going to cover because it was a 'pre-existing condition' even though every doctor I had been to refused to diagnose me or tell me it was all in my head. They ended up covering the whole thing. Not sure how, but I left it for my doc and them to fight it out.

I'll be in this corner, with this booze, plotting making a nice little bomb shelter where I can hole myself up and not deal with people anymore.

How the FUCK can people say RAPE is a pre-existing condition in all SERIOUSNESS!? There is no hope.

A bit late on this , but this could be good action

[czarchasm.livejournal.com]

Has anybody attempted to contact their nearby sexual assault resource agency about this? Confidentiality would apply, but I know that this would be an issue that many of these orgs would strongly advocate about.

Re: A bit late on this , but this could be good action

[abnormal-apathy.livejournal.com]

Nobody with any power to change things listens to rape victims. Been there, done that.

[nicoli-dominn.livejournal.com]

Even though I'm not very good at using my words right now, I'd just like to add my voice to the crowd here and say that all of this BULLSHIT makes me irate.

It makes me want to kill people a lot.

Sorry for the violence...I just...hate insurance companies. And misogynistic assholes.

[idunn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can't add anything that hasn't already been said. I'm just ... done. A classmate of mine's claim was denied for having emergency surgery after experiencing heart failure and being on life support for two weeks. The insurance provider considered the procedure "optional" - the other option being death. Some option.

[celestinenox]

...

Wow.

WOW.

... I just... oh my gods, WHAT?

[chaos-by-design.livejournal.com]

All of these things make me literally angry with rage. The blatant injustice of it is just staggering.

[usullusa.livejournal.com]

Linked to this post on my journal because it needed to be said.