Expanded Insurance Coverage for Breast Reconstruction for Mastectomy Patients A new federal law, the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, requires health insurance plans to cover breast reconstruction in connection with a mastectomy if the patient decides to have reconstruction and received insurance benefits from her plan for the mastectomy. Coverage must be available for reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was performed as well as the other breast to produce a symmetrical appearance. It also must be available for prostheses and treatment of physical complications at all stages of the mastectomy including lymphedema. The new law becomes effective for different health plans on different dates starting with October 21, 1998. Check with someone knowledgeable about your health plan to see when it applies to you. The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Both agencies have information about the specific requirements of the new law, including a list of questions and answers, posted on their websites. Department of Health and Human Services
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