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I Am 17 Years Old and Hoping to Get Surgery Before College. Will Insurance Cover it? (photo)

asked 5 months ago by KatieK58
Latest answer by J. Jason Wendel, MD
Question viewed 274 times
Tags: age 17 or under, DDD cup, insurance, neck pain, posture

I started developing breasts very early and in 7th grade I was already a C/D. I am now done growing according to my doctor and I am a 32DDD/E. I am 5'7" and 126 lbs. Would it be possible for this to be covered by my insurance? I have experience pain in my rib cage and neck and have poor posture.

12 answers to I Am 17 Years Old and Hoping to Get Surgery Before College. Will Insurance Cover it? (photo)

+1

Breast reduction for rib and neck pain

Yes, insurance does cover breast reduction provided that it is a covered benefit on your plan and you meet the criteria your insurance company requires. See a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area for a consultation and recommendations. Many times, the plastic surgeon's office can submit the paperwork for you to your insurance complany. I wish you well. -Dr. Wendel
J. Jason Wendel, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Reduction

Insurance may cover breast reduction for some women. It depends on the patient’s breast size, body type, and symptoms. Most insurance companies have a formula based on your height, your weight, and how much your surgeon estimates will be removed. Usually removal of about a pound from each breast is required for insurance coverage. Health care providers are mercenary about denying coverage for breast reduction. They don’t care if your clothes don’t fit or you... more
Joe Gryskiewicz, MD

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Reduction and Insurance

It is very possible that your insurance would cover breast reduction surgery for you. Most insurance companies require that you have a minimum of 500 grams removed from each breast and for most women that would be a size DD. Also, the insurance company is looking for documented complaints such as back, neck and shoulder pain. They will want to know what steps you have taken to remedy your symptoms such as physical therapy, good support bras and taking analgesics so having any supporting... more
Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

+1

Breast reduction surgery in a 17 year old

You may very well be an excellent candidate based on your size and symptoms. However, this will need to be sorted out with one or more consultations with board certified plastic surgeons. There are many issues to consider medically. Obviously, you will need a parent involved right now with that decision. Insurance issues would be based on your policy and if it even covers breast reductions in general. If there is the possibility of coverage, your plastic surgeon can help review what it... more
Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

+1

Breast reduction

Bresat reduction surgery is sometimes covered by insurance. you have to check with your insurance company to see what their criteria are. Many times you need medical records of recalcitrant back and neck pain to have it covered, along with an estimate of the volume to be removed.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast reduction coverage begins with predetermination

Coverage for breast reduction can be very difficult depending on your particular insurance plan. The process begins with a careful consultation with a plastic surgeon and the surgeon will send a letter of predetermination to your insurance to investigate coverage available to you under your policy. Despite symptoms or problems you might have, your plan will spell out what is required. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Reduction Surgery and Insurance Coverage

Dear KatieK58, Not all insurance policies cover the costs for a breast reduction procedure. One of the most important steps you can perform is to read the covered benefits section of your insurance policy. This is even more important than actually calling the insurance company itself. Every policy is written differently depending on who you get your insurance through. When you call the insurance carrier, often you will get a "generic" answer which may... more
Herluf G. Lund, Jr, MD

Saint Louis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Insurance Coverage for Breast Reduction for a 17 Year Old

You should be able to be considered for a breast reduction if you meet certain criteria. Call a Board Certified plastic surgeon or get a referral from your primary care doctor. You may want to ask the surgeon's office ahead of time if there is anything else they would like you to bring (insurance information, name of primary care physician). For breast reduction surgery, it would be good to find out what criteria your insurance company requires to approve the surgery and have it... more
Karol A. Gutowski, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Reduction In 17 Year Old

You appear to be a very good candidate for breast reduction surgery with your symptoms and current bra size. If your insurance coverage does not have an outright exclusion for reductions, it probably would be covered in your case. Obtain a consultation with a BC plastic surgeon with whom you can discuss the benefits/risks of surgery.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Adolescent breast reduction

Insurance companies in NY have taken a stand against adolescent breast reductions, even if cases of gigantomastia. Their feeling, apparently, is that if you operate too soon, the breasts may continue to grow, necessitating a second surgery for which they simply do not want to pay. Right now, the minimum age requirement is 18. I would encourage you to develop the kind of file that an insurer will look favorably upon in the meantime-including lots of evidence of orthopedic workup, failure of... more
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.foresthillsplasticsurgery.com

+1

Breast reduction before college

It is pretty common to do a breast reduction before heading off to college. Just be sure you understand the scars involved and see the best plastic surgeons and they will help determine if your size presents an insurable starting point.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Reduction for Teenager?

Thank you for the question. It sounds like you are dealing with juvenile breast hypertrophy along with the physical and psychosocial consequences of this diagnosis. In other words, the breasts are too large for your frame causing both physical and psychological distress. Many patients like yourself choose to have procedures done at a time of “transition” from one school to another or when they are in between jobs. This makes sense from the recovery time... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

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