QUESTION: MY INSURANCE DID NOT COVER MY PELVIC FLOOR STRENGTHENER, THE LEVA PELVIC HEALTH SYSTEM, IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO?
ANSWeR:
Answer:
Bladder leakage (urinary incontinence (UI)) is more than an inconvenience, it is a medical condition that should be taken seriously and should be treated as such! Some more advanced and invasive treatments for UI are covered by insurance, however, less invasive first-line options like absorbent products and companies focused on pelvic floor health are working hard with insurance companies to get coverage for those who have been diagnosed with UI.
The good news is The Leva Pelvic Health System is now covered by Cigna*, Highmark*, and BCBS of North Dakota*, and is working to add more. Many patients take advantage of the year end benefits of having met their deductible and utilizing the insurance benefits to start experiencing symptom improvement.
However, if you have a plan that doesn’t cover Leva or you were denied coverage for Leva, you can join the many women joining the call to demand expanding access and coverage by emailing their insurance provider directly.
We invite you to join in these efforts by personalizing the prewritten letters below. Simply copy the most relevant pre-written letter and add your information (or download them here) The more you include of your own experience or story the better. Hearing directly from patients goes a long way in helping to obtain broad insurance coverage and helping more women get access to Leva.
When you have finished personalizing your letter, simply email or mail the relevant letter to your insurance company.
EXAMPLE EMAIL #1: REQUEST FOR LEVA COVERAGE/DENIED COVERAGE
Subject line: Please Cover Leva, UI Treatment
Dear _[insert insurance company name]_________ Policy Team,
I am writing to urge __[insert insurance company name]____to broaden its coverage to include treatment options for women’s urinary incontinence (UI), specifically the Leva Pelvic Health System. Leva is an at-home, first-line, FDA-cleared therapy that is clinically proven to reduce bladder leakage in women.
[insert personal experience/story]
My doctor recommended Leva to me as an effective first-line option for my UI based on extensive clinical research – but unfortunately, due to the current lack of insurance coverage, I was unable to pursue Leva. Without treatment, my UI could worsen, leaving me with fewer viable solutions that are costly or more invasive than the convenience and effectiveness that Leva offers.
I kindly ask that you consider including Leva in your coverage to benefit all women who live with UI and are looking for treatments that help them regain confidence and restore their health.
Thank you for your attention.
[add your name]
EXAMPLE EMAIL #2: DENIED COVERAGE FOR LEVA & PAID OUT OF POCKET
Dear _[insert insurance company name]_______ Policy Team,
I am reaching out to urge __[insert insurance company name] to provide comprehensive coverage for women’s health as part of the ___[insert insurance company name]___ plan – particularly for the Leva Pelvic Health System, an FDA-cleared and clinically proven at-home treatment option for women suffering from urinary incontinence (UI). Leva is a non-invasive, prescription-required treatment for UI that empowers women – like me – to treat urinary incontinence from the comfort and privacy of their own home.
[insert personal experience/story]
I chose to pay out of pocket for my treatment because __[insert insurance company name] _____ denied my request to cover this therapy. The Leva treatment improved my UI symptoms, helped me regain control of my health, and gave me the freedom and confidence to live my life again. Unfortunately, many women will not have that same experience because of the lack of insurance coverage. And because of that, their condition may worsen until they’re left with no other treatment option, but costly medications with side effects or expensive and invasive surgery. Women deserve access to Leva with little to no out-of-pocket costs. I request that you update your medical policy to make this a reality.
I appreciate your consideration.
[add your name]
Source: Leva Pelvic Health
*Plan deductibles, co-pays, and benefit exclusions may apply.
About the author:
The NAFC Ask The Doc series provides answers to some of our reader’s most common questions from a group of experts in the fields of urology, pelvic floor health, bowel health, and absorbent products. Do you have a question you’d like answered? Click here to Ask The Doc!
