October 13th is Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Awareness Day

Repost from International FLAT Day Today, October 13th, is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. MBC is the only breast cancer that kills. Ten percent of new BC diagnoses are “de novo” metastatic, and about 1 in 3 early stage diagnoses will progress to MBC. Marissa Holzer (USA) wrote this article for CURE magazine to highlightContinue reading “October 13th is Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Awareness Day”

New Project! Amend the NAPBC’s Reconstructive Protocol

Women going flat after mastectomy are not getting the care we need and deserve, in part because most of us cannot access a plastic surgeon for our closure. Women reconstructing their chest wall should be able to access a specialist just like women who are reconstructing their breasts. That’s why we want the American CollegeContinue reading “New Project! Amend the NAPBC’s Reconstructive Protocol”

Vermont Insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield Supports Revision Bill

Big progress continues in Vermont in ensuring insurance coverage for flat closure and revision services! Representative Charen Fegard’s flat revision coding bill (Bill H.686) now has strong support from the state’s largest health insurer, Vermont’s BCBS. Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Josh Plavin made the following statement in support oh H.686: “I amContinue reading “Vermont Insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield Supports Revision Bill”

State of Vermont Moves to Protect Patients

Vermont State Agency Issues Consumer Alert on Revision Denials Big progress is happening right now in Vermont to ensure insurance coverage for flat closure and revision services. Thanks to the pioneering bipartisan work of Vermont State Representatives Charen Fegard (D-VT) and Lynn Bachelor (R-VT), the Vermont state agency tasked with investigating insurance denials has justContinue reading “State of Vermont Moves to Protect Patients”

Informed Consent is Non-Negotiable

Australian Woman Says Her Surgeon Placed Expanders Without Her Consent ** Update: unfolding information suggests that this situation does not represent flat denial. It may represent a violation of consent, but we do not have all the facts. This patient consented to direct to implant reconstruction. Instead of placing an implant, the surgeon placed an expander.Continue reading “Informed Consent is Non-Negotiable”