Women's Health and Cancer Rights

The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) includes protections for individuals who elect breast reconstruction in connection with a mastectomy. WHCRA provides that group health plans and health insurance issuers that provide coverage for medical and surgical benefits with respect to mastectomies must also cover certain post-mastectomy benefits, including reconstructive surgery and the treatment of complications (such as lymphedema).

Webpages on this Topic

Consumer Information on Health Plans
Provides fact sheets, booklets, and other health plan information from the Department's Employee Benefits Security Administration.

Compliance Assistance
Provides publications and other materials to assist employers and employee benefit plan practitioners in understanding and complying with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act for the administration of retirement and health plans.

Your Rights After A Mastectomy...Women's Health & Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (Español)
Provides questions and answers designed to clarify a woman’s basic WHCRA rights.

Compliance Assistance Guide: Health Benefits Coverage Under Federal Law
Provides questions and answers and self-compliance tool.