Thousands of women in the US have chosen Essure as their permanent birth control solution. Essure was marketed as a safe and effective, non surgical solution by Bayer, its manufacturer. However, many women have complained of painful and in some cases, severe and life threatening complications due to Essure. The only way to stop them is to get the device removed. But will you have to pay for it? Here are your options.
Essure consists of two small metal coils that are inserted into the fallopian tubes. Once there, the coils prevent eggs from moving through. This prevents pregnancy. However, as it’s designed to be a permanent solution, it’s very difficult to remove and many surgeons aren’t sufficiently experienced in the procedure.
The only way to remove Essure is via surgery. Depending on the extent of the damage caused by the device, it may be removed in the following ways:
- Essure removal – procedures where the fallopian tubes are removed either partially or entirely from the body – for example, hysterectomy (removal of the uterus and sometimes other surrounding structures) or salpingectomy (removal of the fallopian tubes). This means the patient cannot become pregnant again.
- Essure reversal – procedures where the device is removed from the fallopian tubes but the organs are reconstructed so the patient can become pregnant in the future.
Each Essure case is different so you should talk to your surgeon to determine which options are available to you.
Will I Have to Pay for My Essure Removal?
In most cases, yes. Although all health insurance plans are required to cover birth control plans approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are many loopholes. The implantation of Essure will be covered by your health insurance but removal might not be. It depends on whether it’s removed or reversed.
What we mean by this is whether Essure is entirely removed from your body by removing your reproductive organs (meaning you cannot become pregnant again) or whether it’s only taken from your tubes (meaning you can become pregnant again). The latter is considered to be an elective surgery and a form of fertility treatment, which isn’t covered by health insurance. So, if this is how Essure is removed from your body, you will most certainly have to pay.
But does that mean you won’t have to pay if you have a hysterectomy or something similar? Not necessarily. In general, most health insurance providers will not cover any kind of Essure removal procedure. Even if they do, the coverage is usually only partial. Reimbursement rates tend to vary between 0 and 50 percent.
How Much Does Essure Removal Cost?
This largely depends on the extent of damage Essure has caused you, but some surgeons ask for at least $7,000 for the surgery.
What to Do Next
Essure was promised to be a safe, effective and permanent form of birth control. It’s unfair that you should have to pay for it to be removed because it’s causing you problems – especially if they’re chronic and life threatening. Some women have seen their everyday lives significantly changed by Essure and not positively either.
If you want or need to have the device removed, first contact your health insurance provider and see what options are available to you. Depending on your circumstances, they may be able to cover some of the cost. Or, you might get lucky and have it paid for.
If your health insurance provider is unable to cover the cost, whether partially or none at all, you should consider speaking to a personal injury attorney. There have been a sudden surge in the number of lawsuits filed against Bayer due to its alleged negligent design. At the moment, there are over 16,800 cases against the manufacturer as it’s said Bayer was aware of Essure’s malfunctions and failed to alert the FDA or its consumers.
Essure has now been completely recalled from the global market but the damage has already been made. They have acted negligently and you shouldn’t have to be the one who suffers as a result. An experienced attorney can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve for your troubles.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
We at Coxwell & Associates have been representing Mississippians with their legal troubles for over 35 years. Our team of qualified attorneys are experienced in personal injury cases, including Essure, and can help you claim compensation for your injuries. We offer free case consultations so speak to our team today.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended as general information purposes only, and is not a substitute for legal advice. Anyone with a legal problem should consult a lawyer immediately.