Cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial surgery for kids isn't cosmetic, it’s lifesaving

LET ME RUIN YOUR NIGHT FOR ONE SECOND, IMAGINE BEING A KID BORN WITH A CLEFT LIP AND PALATE AND YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY JUST LOOKS AT YOU AND SAYS NAH THAT IS COSMETIC WHICH IS INSANE BECAUSE EATING AND BREATHING ARE PRETTY IMPORTANT STUFF, BUT APPARENTLY THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, SO THERE IS THIS THING CALLED THE ENSURING LASTING SMILES ACT THAT IS TRYING TO STOP THESE INSURERS FROM DENYING MEDICALLY NECESSARY SURGERIES FOR KIDS AND ADULTS BORN WITH CRANIOFACIAL CONDITIONS, I MEAN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BASIC HEALTHCARE BEING LABELED AS JUST A BEAUTY FIX WHICH IS COMPLETELY BONKERS AND THE LEGISLATION IS TRYING TO FORCE A CHANGE SO PEOPLE STOP GETTING WRONGFULLY DENIED COVERAGE FOR ACTUAL LIFESAVING SURGERIES. ANYWAY REMEMBER I TOLD YOU FIRST.

TBH THIS ONE IS WILD BECAUSE INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE CURRENTLY DECIDING THAT SURGERIES FOR KIDS BORN WITH CONGENITAL FACIAL CONDITIONS ARE JUST COSMETIC IMPROVEMENTS, WHICH IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING I HAVE HEARD ALL DAY CONSIDERING THESE KIDS ARE JUST TRYING TO LIVE THEIR LIVES WITHOUT CONSTANT OBSTRUCTION, SO NOW THE ENSURING LASTING SMILES ACT IS PUSHING THROUGH TO MAKE SURE THESE COMPANIES ACTUALLY COVER WHAT IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY INSTEAD OF DODGING PAYMENTS BY PRETENDING THESE CRANIOFACIAL PROCEDURES ARE OPTIONAL, IT IS LITERALLY ABOUT ENSURING THAT PEOPLE GET THE MEDICAL CARE THEY NEED WITHOUT FIGHTING A BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. OK I AM GOING TO GO BE QUIET NOW.

The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act aims to stop insurance companies from incorrectly classifying medically necessary surgeries for congenital facial conditions as cosmetic.

Named in this and it is not fair or not accurate? Write to us — we correct or remove within a few days.