What Type of Insurance Do Most Doctors Take for Tummy Tuck?

asked 2 years ago by andrea1970 in illinois
Latest answer by Michael C. Pickart, MD
Question viewed 1,367 times
Tags: insurance

I have public aid for insurance. Do doctors take that for tummy tuck procedures or will I have to pay for it out of pocket?

10 answers to What Type of Insurance Do Most Doctors Take for Tummy Tuck?

Insurance NEVER Pays for Tummy Tuck

I think that you are confusing 2 separate procedures: panniculectomy abdominoplasty A panniculectomy is a functional procedure for removing excess skin and fat. An insurance company MAY authorize a panniculectomy if... The apron of excess abdominal skin impedes walking. The apron of excess abdominal skin impedes normal groin hygiene. There are recalcitrant fungal infections beneath the skin folds. The infections have progressed to bacterial infections, necessitating hospitalization and IV an more

Michael C. Pickart, MD
Ventura Plastic Surgeon

Surgery Costs

It is hard to quote a exact price for any particular surgery because of all the different variables such as particular surgeons fees and operating room and anesthesia cost very immensely.

John Grossman, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck and Insurance

Tummy tuck is a cosmetic case and insurance company does not cover cosmetic procedures. It would have to be cash. The only procedure that insurance would cover would be a panniculectomy and it is again a very difficult procedure to get insurance to cover. Good luck.

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tucks are not covered by insurance

Since a tummy tuck is a purely cosmetic procedure, it will not be covered by insurance. Only a panniculectomy is sometimes covered by the insurance company.

David E. Berman, MD
Sterling Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck by insurance is not likely

While tummy tucks are not typically covered by insurance (they sometimes don't cover actual illnesses, much less cosmetic concerns) they may pay for a panniculectomy in certain cases. The difference is a panniculectomy entails removal of excess, hanging skin, but without the movement of the belly button, muscle/fascial tightening, liposuction, etc. In the past there was confusion over whether insurance may cover a tummy tuck due to CPT (billing) code discrepancies, but those CPT issues... more

Anthony Youn, MD
Detroit Plastic Surgeon

Tummy tuck and insurance

Tummy tucks are not covered by insurance. They are cosmetic procedures that are designed to make you look better and fit into clothing better. Hernia repairs, panniculectomy are often covered by insurcance and may be part of a tummy tuck but if there is a cosmetic nature to the procedure it is not covered.

John P. Stratis, MD
Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon

Medical insurance for a tummy tuck

Unles your doctor can convince the insurance that there is some "medically necessary" reason for you to have a tummy tuck, it will not be covered by insurance. I think you would be wise to plan on the insurance not being willing to cover it.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Insurance for Tummy Tuck

Insurance policies will only very rarely pay for a tummy tuck; usually only if there have been repeated infections which require expensive antibiotics or antifungals to treat. Your Medicaid insurance would probably have even more stringent requirements and is extremely unlikely to civer a TT.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Medical insurance does not pay for tummy tuck

I regret that you are in financial dire straits. But almost no one takes insurance for anything. When you purchase something, it is up to you to pay for it. Lawyers do not take insurance. Plumbers and Electricians do not take insurance. The vast majority of our service sector does not take insurance for anything. To make things even more confusing medical insurance companies are actually LOSING money (despite raising premiums and lowering doctor fees every year). Don't believe it ? - Read -... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Do plastic surgeons accept public aid for tummy tuck?

Most insurance companies do not cover abdominoplasty as it is an elective procedure. For patients with limited funds, one option is to contact a local teaching hospital that has a plastic surgery training program. Often these programs have clinics, run by the residents and supervised by the attendings. Patients can sometimes have elective surgery done through these clinics for a lower fee than a private plastic surgeon would charge. Hope this helps. Tracy M. Pfeifer,MD, MS... more