April 24, 2015
Until very recently, power morcellators were frequently used by surgeons in laparoscopic hysterectomies and procedures to remove fibroid growths. Use of the devices is not so popular, however, after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cautioned that power morcellators could cause the spread of undetected cancer. United States health insurance providers are also weighing in on the subject by limiting coverage for procedures involving the device.
Health Care Service Corp. (HCSC) is reportedly the latest among U.S. insurers to limit coverage. HCSC, the nation’s fourth-largest health insurance company, may deem that power morcellation is “not medically necessary” and, therefore, ineligible for coverage. After a public comment period, the rule will become effective on June 1, 2015.
Aetna Inc. is reviewing its coverage policies for power morcellation. The insurer anticipates that any coverage limitations will be consistent with the FDA’s warning about the devices. Aetna is the third largest U.S. health insurer.
UnitedHealth Group Inc. had already decided to limit coverage by forcing doctors to obtain preauthorization to perform any hysterectomy, other than an outpatient vaginal procedure, which does not use a power morcellator. UnitedHealth is the largest U.S. insurer.
The largest power morcellator manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, stopped making the devices in 2014. Other medical device makers, however, have continued their manufacture of power morcellators.
We understand that injuries caused by power morcellators are personal and they’re sensitive. That’s why we’ve assembled a legal team, most of whom are women, to provide our morcellator clients with compassionate and aggressive representation throughout the entire course of litigation. To learn more about Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel, or to have one of our attorneys review your potential morcellator case, contact us by email or call our morcellator lawyers, like Kyla Cole in our Texas office, at800.226.9880.
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