Urge Members of Congress to Co-Sponsor the CARES Act to Treat Children with Craniofacial Deformities

Private insurers are denying coverage for surgeries that correct craniofacial anomalies because they are often classified as cosmetic procedures and not deemed medically necessary.

The Children's Access to Reconstructive Evaluation & Surgery (CARES) Act of 2009, H.R. 1339, was introduced by Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) on March 5, 2009. The Senate companion bill, S. 1235, was introduced by Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La) on June 11, 2009. This legislation would expand private payer coverage of craniofacial anomalies by requiring private insurance plans that already offer surgical benefits, to provide coverage for treatment of a minor child's congenital or developmental deformity.

Please contact your U.S. representative and Senators by e-mailing the message below and ask them to co-sponsor the CARES Act to make treatment for congenital craniofacial anomalies a covered benefit.

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Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

(Edit Letter Below)

As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a constituent, I urge you to co-sponsor the Children's Access to Reconstructive Evaluation & Surgery (CARES) Act of 2009, H.R. 1339/S. 1235, which would promote access to treatment for childhood deformities and craniofacial abnormalities, such as cleft lip and palate.

The bi-partisan CARES Act would promote health care coverage for children with craniofacial anomalies by amending current law to require private insurers, including ERISA plans, that already offer surgical benefits, to provide coverage for treatment of a minor's congenital or developmental deformity caused by trauma, infection, tumor, or disease. Currently, only 14 states require insurance companies to cover craniofacial anomalies. This legislation would set a national standard.

According to Oral Health in America, a 2000 Surgeon General's report, craniofacial anomalies affect an estimated one in 600 children every year in America. Craniofacial anomalies may appear to be only cosmetic, but these conditions often impede a child's daily functions, such as chewing food and speaking normally.  Unfortunately, oral and maxillofacial surgeons who are involved in the treatment of these conditions, have seen that a number of insurance companies are denying access to reconstructive surgery for children with craniofacial deformities because they do not consider treatment for the condition to be medically necessary.

Each day this legislation languishes in Congress is another day children without the necessary financial means go untreated for debilitating abnormalities. I urge you to co-sponsor the CARES Act to bring these children one step closer to the medical care they need.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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