In light of all the controversy surrounding the safety of power morcellation procedures, Aetna has taken a supportive role in stopping the widespread use of these medical devices by severely limiting their coverage of morcellation-assisted procedures for their members.
What is a Power Morcellator?
A power morcellator is a medial device used mostly in gynecological surgeries including hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) and myomectomy (removal of non-cancerous uterine fibroids). The device is design to break up tissue during minimally invasive laproscopic surgery so it can be removed though a tiny surgical opening.
The Potential Danger of Power Morcellation
When a woman is undergoing a procedure using power morcellation, sometimes she may have cancerous growth in her uterus where it was previously undetected. When the power morcellation targets this tissue, it is sliced into small pieces and becomes dispersed throughout the woman’s body.
What started off as a localized cancer that would have been much more easily treated, can quickly turn into to cancer that has spread and metastasized to various regions in the patient’s body. Once the cancer is found to have spread, the woman’s chances for surviving the aggressive uterine cancer is greatly diminished.
FDA Warning About Power Morcellation
In November 2014, the FDA issued the most serious warning possible regarding the use of power morcellators. In addition to the statement issued, manufacturers of power morcellators are required to put a “black box” warning on their product stating the potential danger of using the device. These black box warnings on product labels are for product and pharmaceutical drugs that have the greatest safety risks associated with their use.
The FDA estimated that 1 in 350 women undergoing a power morcellation hysterectomy or myomectomy was at risk to develop cancer following the procedure.
In 2014, the largest morcellator manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, stopped selling their devices, but other companies still have their products for sale. Many hospitals have also adopted a policy to no longer use power morcellation within their facility.
Aetna’s Power Morcellation Policy
Following in the footsteps of small regional health insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (who stopped covering morcellators on Sept. 1, 2014), Aetna has taken a stand on restricting coverage of power morcellator procedures.
Aetna’s new policy states, “Myomectomy and hysterectomy procedures that use a power morcellator will not be covered in most circumstances because the safety and efficacy of this approach has not been demonstrated. Aetna will require doctors to pre-certify myomectomies or hysterectomies that use a power morcellator.”
A statement made by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut prior to Aetna’s decision to withdraw coverage explained, “We cover medically necessary hysterectomies. For situations where hysterectomies are pre-certified, we remind the pre-certifying entity of the black box warning regarding power morcellation. There is no separate, additional payment for morcellation. We also send a newsletter to providers that includes information informing them of black box warnings.”
Power Morcellation Lawsuit Information
If you or a loved one developed cancer after a power morcellation procedure to complete your hysterectomy or myomectomy, you may be eligible for legal compensation. A morcellation cancer lawyer is able to provide complimentary and confidential case reviews to go over your case and assist you in outlining your legal options.
Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The morcellation cancer attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, morcellator cancer lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.
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Join a Free Morcellation Cancer Class Action Lawsuit Investigation
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with cancer in the uterus, pelvis or abdomen within two years of undergoing surgery for a myomectomy (removal of fibroids), hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries), or salpingectomy (removal of fallopian tubes), you may have a legal claim. See if you qualify by filling out the short form below.
An attorney will contact you if you qualify to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you.
- First Name*
- Last Name*
- Street Address
- Apt. #
- Zip Code*
- Phone*
- Email*
- Approximately how long ago did you/your loved one have surgery to remove uterine fibroids?*
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Less than 1 year
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1-2 years
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2-3 years
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3-5 years
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5+ years
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- What were you/your loved one diagnosed with?*
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Uterine cancer
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Endometrial cancer
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Ovarian sarcomas/cancer
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Parasitic myomas
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Leiomyomatosis
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Endometriosis
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Adenomyosis
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Fibroid/uterine tissue growth on other organs requiring surgery
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No diagnosis/injury
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Other cancer (please specify in additional information box below)
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- What year were you/your loved one diagnosed?
- ¿Necesita un orador español?
- Yes
- No
- Additional Comments:
- I understand and agree that submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship and that the information I submit is not confidential or privileged and may be shared.*
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Yes
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