And now a change for the Pap tests as well?

[luvmy3]

Speaking as an Australian where the vaccine is free to young girls and was fully funded for the up to 25 year olds...

There was some commentary from the Australian scientist whose work led to Gardisil that because there is wide coverage of the vaccine which should cover 70% of the potential cancers.

Then the arguement was that the cancers are generally slow growing, and if abnormal 'pre-cancerous' cells are treated surgically then the woman is at a greater risk of pregnancy issues, c-sections, preemie birth etc.

Not so much a cost saving measure but instead trying to save those preemie births etc IF the pre-cancerous treatment was not necessary

Well if a woman develops pre-cancerous cells at the age of 18 and doesn't have a pap until 21, she better hope that its really really slow growing.

 

[Mysteria]

Speaking as an Australian where the vaccine is free to young girls and was fully funded for the up to 25 year olds...

There was some commentary from the Australian scientist whose work led to Gardisil that because there is wide coverage of the vaccine which should cover 70% of the potential cancers.

Then the arguement was that the cancers are generally slow growing, and if abnormal 'pre-cancerous' cells are treated surgically then the woman is at a greater risk of pregnancy issues, c-sections, preemie birth etc.

Not so much a cost saving measure but instead trying to save those preemie births etc IF the pre-cancerous treatment was not necessary

See this is the arguement that bothers me (not you brining it up, the actual arguement). If they AREN'T treated then the risk is those women could be dead. I think the living teen/adult female needs to be put before any possible future problems with pregnancy.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

if i didn't have my first one until 25 i'd probably be dead.

me too!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I posted this in the other thread as well...my insurance doesn't pay for a pap AT ALL. Annual, every two years, every three years...doesn't matter when you have it; you pay for it. The insurance information we were given said "well-woman exams" were 100% covered. Then I went to the doctor, had my exam and pap, and received a statement from the insurance company showing that they paid the $158 for the exam, but the $228 pap was "not a payable procedure." I called the doctor...they resubmitted it, thinking they made a coding error...denied again...called the insurance co. and was told that yes, EXAMS are covered, but TESTS are not. They don't cover ANY tests of ANY sort...

 

[wdwfan16]

I posted this in the other thread as well...my insurance doesn't pay for a pap AT ALL. Annual, every two years, every three years...doesn't matter when you have it; you pay for it. The insurance information we were given said "well-woman exams" were 100% covered. Then I went to the doctor, had my exam and pap, and received a statement from the insurance company showing that they paid the $158 for the exam, but the $228 pap was "not a payable procedure." I called the doctor...they resubmitted it, thinking they made a coding error...denied again...called the insurance co. and was told that yes, EXAMS are covered, but TESTS are not. They don't cover ANY tests of ANY sort...

Your pap costs $228? My appointment and pap costs $200.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I have no problem with the new recommendations. I believe they are based on good science.

 

[grumpeeduck]

FYI... Insurance companies WANT you to be healthy and get overall screenings to keep you that way-it's in their best interest long term. But, there seems to be a certain POLITICAL group out there that DOES NOT.

 

[HOGFAN]

I wish they had taken the wasted time and money they spent inventing VIAGRA and used it for something USEFUL AND LIFESAVING!!!

 

[DebbieB]

FYI... Insurance companies WANT you to be healthy and get overall screenings to keep you that way-it's in their best interest long term. But, there seems to be a certain POLITICAL group out there that DOES NOT.

This recommendation was by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynocologists. Not sure what you are inferring by "POLITICAL" (which is not allowed to be discussed on this board).

http://www.acog.org/from_home/acoginfo.cfm

Founded in 1951 in Chicago, Illinois, ACOG has over 52,000 members and is the nation's leading group of professionals providing health care for women. Now based in Washington, DC, it is a private, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization.

ACOG works primarily in four areas:

o Serving as a strong advocate for quality health care for women.
o Maintaining the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education for its members.

o Promoting patient education and stimulating patient understanding of and involvement in medical care.

o Increasing awareness among its members and the public of the changing issues facing women's health care.

 

[chell]

I wish they had taken the wasted time and money they spent inventing VIAGRA and used it for something USEFUL AND LIFESAVING!!!

You and me both!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Your pap costs $228? My appointment and pap costs $200.

Yep, just went and looked it up...$158 for the doctor herself, who sends the paperwork and the sample to the hospital lab...the hospital lab then sends a bill to the insurance co. and it says $228. They denied it twice, so the lab billed me for it. It's insane.

Just looked back as well at my annual bloodwork - cholesterol and glucose - nope, they don't pay for that either. That was another $100 out-of-pocket.