Is Circumsion of Newborns Considered Elective Surgery?

Question

My husband and I are expecting our first child, a baby boy, in two months. We currently have medical insurance through Kaiser.

I have been told by various people that circumsion is no longer covered by medical insurance. Instead, it is considered elective surgery.

Has anyone with Kaiser insurance recently had a baby boy? Did you have to pay for his circumsion? If so, how much did it cost?

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Yes, it is.
I would call them and see what is covered. You could end up with a few things on your bill not expected. They also may have something online for you. Then you will not have to wait on the phone if there busy.
Congrats

Answer 2

I would actually be very upset to find that my insurance premiums were being used to pay for surgery that is not only elective but does more harm than good. Legally it's your choice to do this, although morally it would be your son's choice when he is an adult. But no way should the rest of us have to help you pay for it.

Answer 3

i don't have Kaiser I had health plus Partners. The would have covered it if i had wanted my sons circumsized, and they don't cover anything elective. It was never brought up to me as being an elective surgery, but then again I didn't want it done. I want my kids to have a normal fulfilling sex life when they become adults and men who are circumsized sometimes don't hav ethe same amount of feeling as men who weren't clipped at birth. I know that if the man decides to have it done laterin life, then it's considered elective. Call your insurance provider and ask. If they don't know, get better insurance.

Answer 4

Yes, it is elective and cosmetic. The USA is the last developed country practising it and rates are dropping hugely so only half of boys done.

Researh it and you will see why it's not done, all the risks, and the fact the "benefits" (cleanliness - who doesn't wash?) are over-rated or completely untrue.

Answer 5

That really depends on you insurance company. Some will still cover. You'll just have to check with them. Good luck!

Answer 6

I'm not sure what insurance they had, but my brother's wife had a boy in January and they had him circumcised. Their insurance wouldn't cover it so they had to pay out of pocket.

Answer 7

We had to pay $200 at the first dr apointment for the circumsicion. They didn't do it at the hospital. But that was because of our pediatrician only does them in his office.

On a side note: It is your choice if you want to circumsice your son, don't let anyone pressure you one way or the other. I hated when we were talking about doing it and everyone decided that it was their right to tell us what to do with our child...like they would listen to us if we gave them our oppinion w/o asking. Do what is best for your family. Congrats on your new addition!

Answer 8

As circumsion has no real proven medical benefit except in a few rare cases, it's hard to see how it could be anything other than elective.

I would hope that insurance companies DO make people pay for unnecessarily mutilating their babies. If there is a medical need, fine - cover it. Doing it because your neighbours are - if you must, pay for it out of your own pocket.

Answer 9

It has no medical benefit to a child if it is removed. If you do decide to get it removed on the paper you sign in the hospital it say more baby boys die every year from circumcision than man do from penile cancer.

Answer 10

It is considered to be elective. No insurance will cover it (or so i was told by the clinic). I had to pay over $300 for my son's circumcision.