Will Insurance Pay for Hernia Surgery with Tummy Tuck?

asked 3 years ago by liam in Brighton, mi
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 3,828 times

I have hernias in the abdominal muscles. Is it reasonable to have a plastic surgeon perform the surgery and also do a Tummy Tuck at the same time? Since the hernia surgery is medically needed, would insurance pay for part of the costs?

7 answers to Will Insurance Pay for Hernia Surgery with Tummy Tuck?

Hernia and Tummy Tuck: Insurance considerations

There are two issues here: 1) should the hernia be repaired at the same time and 2) will insurance cover a portion of the procedure. If the hernia is a true umbilical hernia, repairing at the same time as a full tummy tuck may result in compromise of the circulation of the umbilicus. Furthermore, these defects are increasingly being repaired laparascopically or with the use of mesh. In some instances, hospitals do not grant these privileges to plastic surgeons and a general surgeon may... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Insurance coverage for hernia surgery during a tummy tuck

Tummy tucks are a very popular and effective way to contour the abdomen and tighten your waist. In our practice, it is routine to perform a tight tuck at the same time as a different surgical procedures such as a hernia repair. If you have a small hernia repair, your plastic surgeon may elect to fix the hernia themselves. However, if you have a large hernia or a hernia that requires a mesh repair, a general surgeon may work in conjunction with your plastic surgeon. In either situation,... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

www.miamiaesthetic.com

Insurance coverage for hernia repair and tummy tuck

If you truly have a hernia like an inguinal or umbilical, then your insurance should cover that part of your surgery. If you are calling a diastasis or weakness in the muscle fascia a hernia, they will not cover that.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Paying for a tummy tuck and hernia repair - insurance can help

If you have abdominal hernias, your insurance should cover a repair. If the repair is done at the same time as an abdominoplasty, you can save part of the costs since some time of surgery will be paid for by the insurance company. In cases where there is chronic inflammation or dermatitis under hanging skin, the insurance may cover removal of excess skin as well (panniculectomy). You should discuss this during your consultation with plastic surgeons. In many cases a plastic surgeon will... more

Adam Rubinstein, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Insurance may only cover hernia repair

Often times they will pay for the portion of the procedure that involves the hernia repair, but rarely will they pay for a cosmetic procedure, or any of the operating rooom, anesthesia fees that would not normally be associated with the hernia repair (i.e. the cosmetic procedures). In my experience, the savings gained by having insurance companies cover a portion of the procedure have been modest at best, and as always, your usual deductibles, co-pays and other isues will still apply.... more

Raj K. Gupta, MD
Pontiac Plastic Surgeon

Insurance may not always pay for hernia surgery

First you have to determine that it is a true hernia and not just a weakness or diastasis (separation). Incidental hernias and symptomatic hernias are different. Insurance plans are different. If you have a true hernia that is symptomatic, chances are your insurance company may cover part of the costs. However, you should review all your costs since sometimes the additional cost of doing a cosmetic procedure in a facility that may accept insurance payment for the hernia will be more... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Reasonable to have hernia repair with Tummy Tuck

Yes, a plastic surgeon can do the hernia repair if they feel comfortable doing so. Insurance should cover the hernia repair cost and if you have skin irritation under your excess skin, they might cover the cost of the skin excision as well.

David S. Rosenberg, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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