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Is Acne Surgery Covered by Insurance?

asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Lawrence Kass, MD
Question viewed 3,712 times
Tags: costs, insurance

18 answers to Is Acne Surgery Covered by Insurance?

+2

Acne surgery may or may not be covered by insurance

Acne surgery can be covered by insurance if it is only comedone or blackhead extractions and they pay roughly $35. If you are looking for real acne surgery for scars and marks or discolorations, then it is not covered by insurance and there are so many methods available depending on the marks and scars. We do them all and it is so worth seeing someone who can help your scars since any help will be good for your emotional self confidence.
David Hansen, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Acne surgery and insurance

Treatment of acute acne by a dermatologist may be covered by insurance. But treatment of the late, dreaded, deep scars caused by acne is not covered.
Lawrence Kass, MD

Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Acne Surgery Insurance Coverage

Acne surgery including extractions of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), incision and drainage of pustular or cystic lesions, and steroid (Kenolog) injections into inflamed, cystic acne lesions is usually covered by most insurances. Treatments for discoloration and scarring secondary to acne are considered cosmetic and therefore, are out of pocket expenses. Such treatments include laser treatments, dermabrasion, chemical peeling, electrosurgery and acne scar filling to... more
Channing R. Barnett, MD

New York Dermatologist
+1

Acne surgery

In Canada, acne surgery is not covered by insurance as it's considered a cosmetic issue. Some people who have health spending account can get it covered.
Anatoli Freiman, MD

Toronto Dermatologist
+1

Acne Treatment and Insurance

Acne scars, when treated with surgery, are typically not covered by insurance in my experience.  However, there may be exceptions, particularly depending on if there are functional problems, such as around the eye.
Jeff Scott, MD

Everett Plastic Surgeon
+1

Insurance coverage for acne surgery

Acne surgery is covered by some insurance plans when it is to treat active acne lesions.  Some plans require that the lesions be symptomatic.  You would have to check with your specific carrier.  In some cases you may have to come for a separate visit specifically for that procedure.  There may also be a deductible, copay or co-insurance. 
Dina D. Strachan, MD

New York Dermatologist
+1

Acne surgery is almost never covered by insurance.

Acne scars are aesthetic issues that most insurance companies will not cover.  You can call your agent and ask.  You'll probably not get a straight answer, but it's the place to start.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Is acne surgery covered by insurance

The answer is "maybe". When surgery is used to treat the medical condition many insurance plans will cover its costs. This may include comedone extraction and chemical peels. When acne surgery is used to improve appearance as when one improves discolorations or scarring it is usually not a covered benefit.
Edward Lack, MD

Chicago Dermatologist
+1

Acne surgery sometimes covered

Acne surgery may be covered, but there are a few conditions.   If it is a covered benefit AND if you have no deductible.  If the answer to either of these is no, then it is out of pocket, basically.  Best to call your insurance carrier and ask both of these questions to determine your out of pocket expense. 
Daniel J. Ladd Jr., DO

Austin Dermatologist
+1

Covering acne surgery with insurance depends on the procedure that is being done

For treating acne flares and medical treatment, most insurance companies cover many of these expenses.  When it comes to improving acne scars and the cosmetic portion, in my experience, insurance companies generally do not cover these expenses. You should always inquire with the particular insurance companies that you are covered under and their particular policies.  When it comes to active lesions which require some procedures such as incisions and drainages, extractions,... more
Philip Young, MD

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Acne scar revision not covered but extraction of symptomatic comedones may be covered

If you refer to acne scar revision as 'ane surgery'utilization fractional CO2 laser resurfacing or TCA chemical peel, it is not covered via insurance carriers though flexible medical spending account may be used if a letter of medical necessity is provided. Most insurance companies do cover extraction of symptomatic comedones or cysts as part of management of acne; however, one should contact his or her insurance carrier utilizing CPT code provided by the dermatologist office.... more
William Ting, MD

Bay Area Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Acne surgery usually covered by insurance

There sometimes is a misconception regarding acne surgery. For insurance purposes, acne surgery is the extraction of open and closed comedones ( blackheads, whitehead, clogged pores etc.). It is not surgery in the usual meaning of the word, the same as cryosurgery is not true surgery. As such there is a CPT code for this procedure and many insurance companies do cover it. If acne surgery is done, the physician should take about fifteen minutes performing the procedure. Prior to say 1990,... more
Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Virginia Beach Dermatologist
+1

Acne Surgery and Insurance coverage

Acne surgery defined as the surgical removal of an Acne lesion may include intralesional injection. Insurance companies vary as to whether they will reimburse the doctor for this procedure. Every plan should be evaluated individually.
Steven Hacker, MD

West Palm Beach Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Acne surgery or Acne scar surgery and insurance

Insurance generally does not pay for acne scar surgery, but will sometimes pay for procedures to improve active cystic acne and its complications. Acne scars can be minimized with laser, chemical peels, and phototherapy.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Insurance for Acne Surgery

There is a CPT billing code for acne surgery, but whether or not the type of acne surgery you are considering is covered or not depends on your insurance company. If there is any question about coverage you should get the procedure pre-approved.
Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ask Your Insurance

The best response for this question is to ask your insurance company. There are many different plans and many different exclusions and the best option is to talk with your insurance company if you have a question about your contract with them. In general though, acne surgery is considered cosmetic and is not covered by most insurance plans.
D.J. Verret, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Insurance coverage for acne surgery

From what I have seen in the metro NY area, acne surgery is covered by insurance. I am sure there are some insurance carriers out there that do not cover it and so if there is any question, you may want to check with your carrier to make sure. It is considered a procedure and the CPT code for acne surgery is 10040.
Ritu Saini, MD

New York Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Acne surgery and insurance

Like any question of this nature, the answer depends on which insurance company you are talking about. Some cover it, some do not. I practice in South Florida and in my experience, most insurance companies do cover acne surgery. One point of confusion arises when acne surgery is "covered" by the insurance company, but the patient still gets a bill because it went towards their deductible. Acne surgery is considered a "procedure" by insurance companies and therefore it... more
Todd Minars, MD

Miami Dermatologist

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