Are vasectomies covered by most health insurance providers?

Question

I'm 26, a student and currently (and luckily :-) ) still covered under insurance from my parents.

I've made the decision to have this procedure done at some point in the not-too-distant future, and wonder if most insurers cover it.

(no lectures, **please**...I don't want kids, never did, and don't want to "end up with them" someday. I'm not in a relationship and don't engage in sexual encounters anyways - I just want my bases to be covered in terms of unwanted future offspring)

Answer 1

This is a covered benefit on most all insurance policies, since they must cover the same for women (tubal ligation) that they do for men. Just as an informational note, most do not cover reversals, however.

Answer 2

Yes, they're covered by most health insurance providers.

P.S. Most urologists won't perform vasectomies for someone your age... Especially if you don't have any children.

Good luck.

Answer 3

A vasectomy is usually covered 100%.  That is pretty much standard because getting a vasectomy is very good business practice for an insurance company.  This is true because a vasectomy cost under $1000.  The cost of a delivery room alone is more than $10,000.  

Being single, they will not benefit from paying for your vasectomy.  If you knock up some girl you met in a bar, her insurance has to pay for the delivery of the baby, not yours.  That does not mean that they won't cover your vasectomy, but it does mean that they will have less motivation to do so.

I know a lot of men that had vasectomies in thier 20's, with no children, and many were not even married.  Doing so is called being "Child-Free".  Yes, there is a name for it.  We also have "Child-Free" social groups where you can meet other people that don't want children.

Some insurance companies might not pay for it if they know you have no children.  Some doctors won't do it for the same reason.  This is not a law, it is just a policy made up by someone that thinks he or she knows better than you do.  You may have to lie, telling them you have two children by a previous relationship or something like that.

I had mine done when I was 21.  I am now almost 42, and very happy with my choice.  The novelty of a vasectomy never ends.

Good luck, and congratulations on choosing to be "Child-Free".  You have made a wise choice in an overpopulated world.  Please spread the word to your friend’s children, so they will do the same!

Answer 4

This is not an answer you should seek via the internet. You need to call your insurer and get the answer directly from the source. Also, it is possible you will get a slightly reduced rate if you are currently covered for contraceptives and drop that coverage after surgery. Please, don't think I am crazy because you might be paying for contraceptives and you're a man. Men do get charged for contraceptive coverage by some companies, even if they are single. Sounds crazy, I know. But ask the insurer about that, too. (The reason is because single men marry, put their new wives on the policy, and need contraceptives coverage--at least, that''s the justification some insurers use-)

Answer 5

Read your policy but probably not since it is elective. You may have trouble finding a doctor who will do it while you are young and childless but keep trying. My girlfriend got herself fixed when she was still young and childless but was never once sorry. She knew she wouldn't be a good mother and decided to make it permanent.