A major gender gap exists in the cost of individual health insurance coverage, the New York Times reports. Women face higher premiums without receiving benefits for essential feminine care issues, a practice that many view as gender discrimination.

Medical Underwriting

In many states, insurance companies are permitted to deny or limit individual coverage based on gender. A study conducted by the National Women's Law Center showed that premium rates are also higher for women, who paid as much as 48 percent more than men of the same age in 2008.

Rationale

Insurance companies base rates and premiums on the cost of providing coverage for a certain group of people. According to "Newsweek," research suggests that women younger than 55 seek medical attention more often than men in a similar age bracket, and also drive up costs because of conditions like pregnancy.

Pre-existing Conditions

Health care for conditions, such as pregnancy and domestic abuse, can be considered "pre-existing" and excluded from insurance plans. Such companies charge additional fees for maternity care or do not offer it all.

Group Insurance

Employer-sponsored group insurance is equally available to men and women who work full-time, but women are less likely to meet such criteria largely due to domestic responsibilities.

Reform

Hesitation to reform gender rating in health insurance is prevalent because men would be charged higher premiums to balance reductions in cost for women. Insurance providers fear that more men will forgo health insurance to avoid rising prices.

Source:

"Newsweek": The Cost of Being a Woman; Sarah Kliff; 2009

The New York Times: Women Buying Health Policies Pay a Penalty; 2008

The Nation: Why Women Need Healthcare Reform; 2009

More Information:

National Women's Law Center: Nowhere to Turn: How the Individual Insurance Market Fails Women