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Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act

The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA), signed into law on October 21, 1998, amended ERISA and the Public Health Service Act by including important protections for mastectomy patients who elect breast reconstruction in connection with a mastectomy. A participant or eligible dependent who is receiving benefits in connection with a mastectomy will be eligible for the following benefits in a manner determined in consultation with the attending physician and the patient for:

• All stages of reconstruction on the breast on which the mastectomy has been performed.
• Surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to produce symmetrical appearance.
• Coverage for prostheses and physical complications of all stages of mastectomy, including lymphedemas.

Such coverage is subject to all plan provisions, limitations and requirements outlined in your benefits booklet.