Legal Question in Discrimination Law in North Carolina
Sexual Discrimination by Insurance Companies
My insurance company defines a specialist physician as a ''physician who provides specialized services and is not engaged in general practice, family practice, internal medicine or pediatrics'' and charges a different rate for them.
In my opinion only one of those is not a specialist, the GP. Since the plan decided to include other areas of specialty, such as internal medicine and pediatricians, then I find it discriminates against women who do go to a Gynecologist for their annual physical check up and annual internal exam, which is a recommended well-visit. A man can have his physical exam performed by an Internist and a child can go to a Pediatrician and both of those types of doctors have specialized in particular fields. As a woman I have to pay more to see my physician.
Is this a case worth pursuing? I think so, but my benefits director says no, but he is a man and goes to an Internist.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Sexual Discrimination by Insurance Companies
Definitely an interesting argument, but you're unlikely to get anyone to take it for free. Insurance companies have DEEEEEP pockets, and contrary to what Grisham writes, it's not that easy to beat them in court unless your pockets are equally deep.
You might document the problem and take it to your local feminist legislator (hopefully, you have at least one), who can raise it to a political level. If your state attorney general is woman-friendly, take it there.
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