Is hysterectomy considered an elective surgery?

I was wondering how my insurance will classify this. I'm having it done because of fibroids (grew back after both UAE and myomectomy) and cervical cancer (I've had two LEEP procedures).

Is it typically considered elective surgery? Anyone know?

Thanks!
Nancy

Mine was listed as elective, which I was moaning and groaning about to someone in the medical profession about and she explained to me that anything not necessary to keep you alive is normally listed as elective. I thought/felt that the word elective really minimized it, that it wasn't really what I wanted, but what I NEEDED in order to improve my quality of life, but I understood her explanation. Think they need to come up with a new term though.

Butterflyboo -

Some insurance companies will consider it elective if you haven't tried other, less radical procedures first.

However, some insurance companies will also take into consideration 'quality of life' when making their decisions.

I know in my case, since I have a history of other procedures, mine was considered medically necessary. Have you called calling your provider, or looking at their website? My insurance carrier has their benefit packages online, so I can see what's covered and what's not.

My doctor told me my surgery was elective because my condition was not life threatening. Basically she said the term medically necessary is only used if it a matter of life or death. Since you have tried alternative treatments, you probably will not have a issue with getting your surgery approved by your insurance company. I recommend that you call the insurance company or visit their website. Also you could talk to your doctor's office manager (or whoever on staff that handles the insurance).

When I called my insurance company to see if a hyst would be covered they responded by saying that doctors don't do hysterectomies unless it's needed. For instance, a woman couldn't request a hyst for reasons of birthcontrol or just tired of having periods. So I was covered. But having a hysterectomy was my choice...I could have waited for menopause to take care of my symptyms if I wanted. But I couldn't even imagine spending the next several years in the misery I was in. So in the end I called my GYN and said I wanted to go through with a hyst. So glad I did.