Male Teen Endures Long Wait For Gynecomastia Surgery
NORWALK, Conn. — In their quest to convince insurers to cover the procedures prescribed by their doctors, patients with unusual conditions are finding more and more obstacles.
Panayiophs Tsiknis, an 18-year-old known as “Peter,” of Bridgeport, Conn., was asked to submit pictures of his enlarged breasts and participate in a psychological examination before his insurer, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut, would even consider paying for an operation to have his breasts surgically removed.
Mr. Tsiknis’ physician, Dr. Kathy LaVorgna, said stories such as Peter’s “are constant, everyday stories” and she believes insurers are building barriers for patients in hopes that they will give in and not have operations prescribed by their physicians.
“That’s wrong,” said Dr. LaVorgna, the vice president of the Connecticut State Medical Society. “That’s a business decision only, and I swear they are trying to deny care for patients.”...
