COVID-19 Crisis: Aetna Expands NIPT Coverage for Young Pregnant Women
May 18 2020 - 2:00PM
JCN Newswire (English)
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, May 19, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - In the
wake of the COVID-19 crisis, Aetna Insurance has extended its
coverage of cell-free DNA screening tests, previously reserved for
pregnant women over 35, to all expectant mothers. While Aetna has
taken an encouraging step towards safeguarding maternal health
during the COVID-19 pandemic, Stand Up! 4APA urges the insurance
provider to make this policy change permanent. The organization
also expects other insurance providers, including UnitedHealthcare,
to promptly follow Aetna's example.
Following updated Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM)
Ultrasound Practice Suggestions and COVID-19 MFM Guidance published
in AJOG-MFM, Aetna is taking steps towards containing the spread of
Coronavirus by expanding coverage of noninvasive prenatal tests
(NIPTs), which limit the need for obstetric ultrasound, including
nuchal translucency screening where possible. NIPTs can be
conducted at home using remote services such as mobile blood draw
networks. This means more expectant mothers will be able to safely
access the healthcare they need during the pandemic, with limited
interpersonal contact.
Though most insurance providers in the U.S. cover NIPTs for
average-risk women, i.e. women under the age of 35, big players
like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare (UHC) still restrict coverage to
include only traditional serum screening and other similar tests
for young pregnant women. By limiting NIPT access to women over the
age of 35, these insurers in-effect put young women at high risk of
false positives and false negatives. False positives can lead to
unnecessary, expensive and stressful referral to specialists that
can put the baby at risk. False negatives rob the family of a
precious opportunity to prepare, including planning to deliver the
baby in a tertiary facility.
For years, Stand Up! 4APA, a non-profit organization, has raised
awareness against the age-related discrimination amongst pregnant
women that deprives access to the advanced and accurate NIPTs for
young moms-to-be. Stand Up! 4APA's President, Cori Simmons
explained, "It's fantastic news that during this global crisis, a
major player like Aetna has decided to finally do the right thing
for pregnant women in this country. Such an act is to be applauded,
and I am hopeful that companies such as UnitedHealthcare respond
urgently during these unprecedented times."
Contact:
StandUp! 4APA
Cori Simmons, President
E: advocate@standupforapa.org
U: https://www.standup4apa.org
Source: Stand Up! 4APA
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