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| Q. | Does insurance cover plastic surgery? |
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| A. | Insurance will generally cover reconstructive plastic surgery to repair facial or body wounds or injuries, or procedures that are medically necessary. Our staff can help you determine what benefits your plan will pay. We can also assist you in submitting the documentation needed for pre-approval for insurance benefits. |
| Q. | What determines whether plastic surgery is cosmetic or reconstructive? |
| A. |
Plastic surgery is considered reconstructive—and thus may be covered by health insurance—when it corrects abnormal body structures. Examples include panniculectomy and breast reduction and in some cases, labiaplasty. If you have developed back pain, chronic skin rashes or infections due to heavy, pendulous breasts, for example, many insurance plans will cover the cost of a breast reduction.
On the other hand, if the surgery you're considering is strictly cosmetic—that is, performed on normal body structures to approve their appearance—it is not typically covered by insurance. If breast augmentation is performed on normal, healthy breasts, for example, it is considered cosmetic surgery. But if a woman has breast augmentation following a mastectomy, the surgery would be considered reconstructive. |
| Q. | I've lost 75 pounds after having lap-band surgery and now I have a lot of excess loose skin. Will insurance cover plastic surgery to correct that? |
| A. | Some insurance plans will cover a panniculectomy to remove the apron of loose abdominal skin following bariatric surgery. However, insurance typically will not cover arm lifts or plastic surgery procedures to remove excess skin from other parts of the body after massive weight loss. Our staff can help you determine what benefits your insurance will pay and submit the necessary paperwork to your insurance company. |
We will be happy to answer your questions or schedule a consultation with Dr. Parungao.
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