Workplace
Resources for Employer Health Plan Coverage of Supplies and Employment-Based Discrimination
UOAA Action Center
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Resources
Employer Health Plan Coverage of Supplies
Medicare, Medicaid, and the majority of private health insurance plans already cover ostomy supplies in their employer plan options, either at no cost to the employee or with a deductible and/or co-insurance. If your employer’s health plan does not cover your ostomy supplies, you should self-advocate to persuade them to add this coverage option to their health plan. Please use the following tool when engaging with your employers on the importance of selecting health plans that cover ostomy supplies.
Employment discrimination is a form of discrimination based on race, gender, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, and gender identity by employers. In the United States, there are federal and state laws that prohibit employers from treating workers differently based on certain attributes unrelated to job performance.
While many persons who have had ostomy or continent diversion surgery may not consider themselves to be disabled, they are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 against employment-based discrimination in the workplace. Despite the productive lives and well-being of most individuals who have these procedures, some employers not familiar with these types of surgeries may react negatively or treat these individuals differently. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces the laws that protect workers.
Please use UOAA’s information and resources for employment-based discrimination, if you feel your employment rights are not being protected in your workplace.
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Advocates for a Positive Change
Contact Us
United Ostomy Associations of America
P.O. Box 2293
Biddeford, ME 04005-2293
Call us toll-free at: 1-800-826-0826.
Our Information Line hours are Monday-Friday, 9am to 3pm EST. If you have an emergency, please dial 911 or contact your local medical professional.
Please understand that UOAA is a private, nonprofit, advocacy and informational organization. We are not a medical facility and we do not have medical or legal professionals on staff. Therefore, UOAA does not provide Medical, Mental Health, Insurance or Legal Advice. Visit UOAA Virtual Ostomy Clinic provided by The Wound Company for non-emergency, virtual ostomy support.
