Insurance Coverage and Cost for Breast Implant Replacement?

Would it be feasible to have new implants? What would be a ballpark cost figure to do this? And would Medicare and my supplemental insurance (which is very good) be likely to approve the cost?

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by Retiree in SC in Aiken, SC

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Implant replacement

Breast implants replacement is not covered by insurance. You will more than likely have to pay for this yourself.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Implant replacement

Dear Retiree I would love to tell you that implant replacement is a covered expense but unfortunately it is not in most cases. In some cases Medicare may pay for an old ruptured implant, but would never pay for replacement or lift unless you had a mastectomy reconstruction following breast cancer. If you had a breast augmentation and now want an implant exchange, be prepared to pay for the entire procedure out of pocket as well as the implants, anesthesia fee and OR fees. Steven Schuster... more

Not likely

Insurance companies consider breast enhancement surgery an elective cosmetic procedure. Therefore, subsequent procedures like implant exchange procedures are also considered elective. Insurance companies will not pay for these operations. There is one exception, and that is that some insurance companies will pay for removal of older silicone breast implants but more than likely will not cover any new implants to be placed.

Insurance does not cover breast implants

Insurance will not cover implant removal and replacement for sure. Some insurance might cover implant related complications e.g. rupture, capsulectomy, etc.. If you had purchased the extra warranty related to your implant from the manufacturer, they will assign a certain amount of money towards your surgery. Hope that helps!