If you are planning on getting plastic surgery then you should check with your insurance company to see if your procedure is covered by your policy. Some medical insurance policies will cover certain cosmetic procedures and others won’t. It depends on the type of policy you have and the type of procedure that will be performed as well as how it’s defined.
Your surgery may be considered either cosmetic, reconstructive, or essential to preserving your quality of life or body function. It’s unlikely that your insurance company will cover plastic surgery performed for cosmetic reasons alone, but the other types may be covered due to their medical nature. This is why you should always check with your eyelid lift surgeon to find out how your surgery is defined.
Here are a few examples of surgeries that may be covered by your insurance company. Of course, each policy is different and you should always check with your insurance company to see if the surgery you are going to have is covered or not.
Eyelid Lift
In some situations, eyelid lifts are performed by plastic surgeons for medical purposes. As the skin becomes loose with age it’s possible for the eyelid to interfere with your vision. If an eyelid lift is performed to correct drooping skin that obstructs your vision, then the surgery may be considered necessary to preserve your body’s function. In this case, it’s possible that your insurance policy would cover the eyelid lift procedure.
Nose Jobs
If you have a condition such as a deviated septum that disrupts your breathing then the surgery to correct the problem, referred to as septoplasty, could be covered by insurance. An aesthetic procedure, or rhinoplasty, is typically not covered by insurance. However, some patients choose to have a rhinoplasty and septoplasty in one session. In these cases, the surgeon can bill the two procedures separately and send part to the insurance company and the other part to the patient.
Breast Reduction
In the case that a breast reduction surgery is performed to reduce back pain, neck pain, or other condition then the surgery may be covered by your insurance policy. It’s likely that you will need to have the condition established by a primary care physician or physical therapist prior to the procedure. Minimal downsizes may not be considered significant enough to be medically necessary. You should check with your insurance policy before assuming that the procedure will be considered medically necessary and covered.
Facial Surgeries
It is possible for insurance companies to cover surgeries intended to correct imbalances caused by car accidents, paralysis, trauma, or deformities. These types of procedures are unique and will be considered for insurance eligibility on a case by case basis.
No matter what type of plastic surgery you are having performed, it’s important to discuss the procedure with your surgeon. Your doctor will be able to confirm the type of surgery that is being performed and whether it will be considered reconstructive or cosmetic. Always check with your insurance company before assuming that the procedure will be covered.