Need Breast Reduction for my Health. I Am 72, in Pain. Cervical Surgery from Car Accident. Hope.Medicare Will Pay?

Serious car acciden left me with 5 herniated discs. Surgery helped the 3 cervical discs. Now at 72 I am having neck and back pain. Deep dents in shoulders. Nuro surgeon, gyn, and PCP all agree I need breast reduction. Will Medicare pay for this? Affects the quality of life. I need help. . 5 ft.3 in. 156 lbs. Wear 36 DDD bra. I do not have a picture, just try to do the best you can. .I am in a lot of pain. Thank you for any help you can give me. Mary Catherine

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age 65-74 DDD cup dents pain 5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in 150-169 lbs medicare

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3 Doctor Answers | Asked by Mary Catherine

Doctor Answers (3)
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Medicare might pay for a breast reduction but it won't be known until after the operation.

Most insurance companies will require prior approval before granting payment for an operation. Medicare does not do this. They decide after the operation whether they will pay. Your plastic surgeon will be able to tell you how Medicare has reimbursed him historically for breast reduction.

Breast Reduction at 72yo

Yes, your insurance carrier should cover a breast reduction. Consider going first to your primary care physician for cardiopulmonary clearance for a general anesthetic. Next, visit your Back Surgeon or Neurologist and make sure that additional treatment for your cervical disc condition would be of little benefit and, they will write a letter of recommendation for your breast reduction surgery. Lastly, take these materials to a member of the ASAPS in your local area for a consult. They... more

36 DDD - Will Breast Reduction Help Pain?

You may be able to get the breast reduction approved through Medicare. With your herniated disc history, it would be very difficult to determine how much the breast reduction would improve pain.