I received a call the other night from a woman who was told if she
continued to breastfeed she will be charged a higher health insurance
premium.  I have never heard of such a thing so I asked her permission to
post to you "wise ones" to see if this is common--she has given me
permission.  She is a healthy 30 yr. old mother of two who is currently
nursing her 3 month old.  She nursed her 3 yr. old with no problems for 18
months and would like to nurse her infant for at least that long.  When her
infant was 6 weeks old she felt like she had the symptoms of mastitis so
she went to her OB/GYN and was diagnosed and treated for mastitis with a
ten-day course of antibiotics.  Later she received a letter from her
insurance company asking her if she was still breastfeeding.  She thought
it strange that they would want to know, but she answered "yes".  She then
received a letter from the insurance company saying that since she had
gotten mastitis (her first time ever), and was still breastfeeding she was
at risk for getting mastitis again.  They were going to change her health
risk to a Level 2-- her husband and two children were going to remain a
Level 1--and increase her premiums.  She very much enjoys breastfeeding and
will continue inspite of the cost.  She called the insurance company and
asked why she should pay more money for doing the most healthy thing for
herself and baby.  They said that they "encourage breastfeeding but once
you have gotten mastitis you can get it again and again."  They said that
is the only reason her premiums are going up and not due to any other
aspect of her health.  My question to you all:  Have you ever heard of this
before? And, I wonder if insurance companies charge extra to women who
formula feed due to the increase in illnesses of their babies?  Thanks.

                  Dawn Campbell RN BSN

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