Would Insurance Cover a Tummy Tuck After Gastric Bypass?

Unfortunately, insurance does not cover a tummy tuck. Occasionally with documentation of recurrent infection they will pay for a panniculectomy (simply removing loose skin).#tt#tummytuck

You will have to consult your insurance provider to find out if your tummy tuck is covered. However, in general, the answer would be no unless it would resolve a physical impairment directly caused by excess skin and fat as well as separated muscles in the area you want to target, and a tummy tuck is proven to be the most suitable treatment for you.

Hello! Thank you for your question! Surgical procedures for aesthetic
purposes, to improve appearance, are not covered by insurance.
Typically, these as well as complications resulting from such procedures
are the responsibility of the patient. Procedures that are meant to
correct functional issues and those which cause health-related issues
should be covered by your insurance as a medical necessity, with proper
examination and documentation. Some insurance plans have exclusion
criteria for certain procedures. Also, it is an obligation of the
surgeon not to attempt to authorize purely cosmetic procedures through
insurance.  Commonly, body contouring procedures following massive weight loss is not covered by insurance.  Discuss your issues and
complaints with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss these as
well as to examine and assist you in deciding which procedure(s) will be
the best for you. A discussion of the advantages and disadvantages will
take place along with the risks and benefits. Insurance companies will
vary on coverage and is always reasonable to discuss your issues with
your surgeon and primary care. It would behoove you to get as much
information as possible and even call your insurance yourself.
Certainly, pay in advance prior to your surgical procedure and options
such as financing are available if you qualify. Hope that this helps!
Best wishes!

What you want is considered cosmetic in nature and thus not covered by insurance. The most insurance covers is the removal of an apron of skin that hangs down over your pubic region. The cosmetic improvement needs to be self paid.

Insurers have tightened their rules, now that gastric bypass surgery is an everyday occurrence. Unless your abdominal skin apron, or panniculus, has ulcerations or breakdowns which do not respond to dermatologic or antibiotic treatment, the major insurance carriers now deny coverage for this as cosmetic although, ironically, some government sponsored plans will pay for it. Breast and thigh lifts are not covered by insurance and are performed on a fee forcservice basis.

I see many patients who have lost significant amount of weight and have a lot of loose sagging tissue., One of the main areas is the tummy. I usually can correct this as an outpatient and can even safely combine it with other procedures. We normally do submit letters, photos to the patients insurance carrier to get possible coverage.This may take a long time but it is well worth it for the patient. I am presently the President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons and our members, who specialize in this type of surgery, are actively trying to help cut our patients costs.

The short answer is sometimes insurance will cover removal of excess abdominal skin. Less frequently they will cover breast surgery (depending on how much tissue needs to be removed) and I have never seen insurance coverage for inner thighs. Whether your insurance will cover these procedures depends on your policy. The best way to find out is to prior authorize it with your insurance company. Your board certified plastic surgeon should be able to do this for you. Good luck.