Insurance Coverage for Body Lifts for Non-cosmetic Purpose?

Are Body lifts covered by insurance if sagging skin causes back pain, or you have skin tears due to sitting on the folds of skin, etc.?

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by sarahb in Berlin, MD

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Insurance covering Surgery after Massive Weight loss

Thank you for your question. It is a very good question and can really only be answered by your insurance company. I would suggest that you make a few phone calls to see what they say regarding covering such procedures and then see who is on their provider list. Please make sure that the surgeon you see has experience with patients who have had significant weight loss. Good Luck!

Body lift and insurance coverage

A body lift is generally not covered by insurance as it is deemed cosmetic surgery. However, a panniculectomy (removal of an apron of excess skin hanging below the waist) may be covered if you have documentation of skin rashes, infections or other problems. Usually, insurance companies require medical documentation of these problems persisting for at least six months. You need to check with your insurance company to find out the details. So although a body lift is not covered by... more

Insurance won't cover body lift surgery.

Some doctors will be happy to try for insurance coverage (that is how they have patients choose them rather than other surgeons who know that coverage is almost NEVER obtained). Of course, when coverage is denied, the patient tends to stay with that surgeon rather than researching those who truthfully stated initially that insurance does not cover body lift surgery. Everyone wants a bargain, but no one wants bargain basement results! Some patients may obtain insurance... more

Not that I have seen.

Hello, Insurance companies try pretty hard to not cover anything even remotely cosmetic. I have not seen one cover a lower body lift. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD

Insurance for body lifts

While insurance will often cover the removal of skin because of chronic yeast infections and skin breakdowns it typically won't a complete body lift. I have seen no evidence that excess circumferential skin causes back pain.

Insurance coverage for body contouring.

Many PPO insurance plans will provide coverage for certain body contouring procedures. Usually a lower body lift is considered cosmetic in nature, at least to some extent. However, there are portions of the operation, such as panniculectomy or umbilical hernia repair, which would be covered by many insurance plans. Although this may not cover the entire cost for the full operation, it may decrease your out-of-pocket costs.

Body Lift

I have performed over 100 body lift and have not been able to get insurnace covergae even for one of them. You can however get insurance for a panniculectomy. This is excision of the pannus for medically necessary cases such as infection, ulcers, etc.

Does Insurance Cover Body Lift Procedures

Insurance may or may not cover your body lift procedure, depending on your provider and your plan. In some cases, typically after gastric bypass or other forms of massive weight loss insurance providers will cover portions of the procedure if you are experiencing skin rashes, infections or other medical problems due to the rubbing of excess skin. I would recommend first talking to your insurance provider to see what they are willing and able to cover. From there you will need to find a... more

We Pursue Insurance Coverage for Our Patients

Since we are paid fby the insurance companies, we feel it is our responsibility to obtain approval from them. If you have documented skin issues like infections or rashes, my office will help you collect the documentation and we will submit it to the insurance company for approval. Most plans have clear cut guideliens that if met, can provide you with some coverage. We do not pursue insurance if you do not meet your plans criteria, as this is a significant amount of work for us.... more

Almost always, not

Hi there- The situation for weight loss patients is unfortunately not ideal... Because there are documented benefits to losing weight from the perspective of your insurance carrier, it is in their best interests to pay for your weight loss surgery if you are overweight and at higher risk of developing medical problems down the road as a result of your weight. Once you have lost the weight, however, there is no benefit to the insurance company from having all of the excess skin that you have remo more

The insurance is your responsibility

The insurance is yours, you need to discuss it with them. They will often cover the gastric bypass part of the weight loss, but then will not deal with the skin excisions. Each insurance company has different rules, and their ultimate goal is to take money from you and not to give any back.