Will Medicaid Cover a Breast Reduction in Illinois?

Thank you for the question.

It sounds like you are dealing with  breast hypertrophy along with the physical and psychosocial consequences of this diagnosis. In other words, the breasts are too large for the frame causing  both physical and psychological distress.


I would suggest you do your homework and understand the potential risk and complications associated with breast reduction surgery, including  abnormal scarring. You also understand that further surgery may be necessary in the future (for example if the breasts were to grow in size again).

Timing of the breast reduction surgery is  based on  the patient's psychosocial place in life and is a very individual- specific decision.  She must be able to accept the scars (which result from the breast reduction surgery)  in exchange for the improvement in size/contour/position of  the breasts.  Some patients choose to have the breast reduction surgery earlier in life; some patients prefer to wait until they are in mature/stable relationships and/or have completed  having pregnancies.

Given that the results of surgery will be with you for a lifetime  I would suggest you save up and have the procedure done by the best  board certified plastic surgeon you can find.  You may find that most well-trained/experienced board-certified plastic surgeons cannot participate in the Medicaid programs.

I hope this helps.

Illinois Medicaid does not pre-approve breast reduction and may not pay after surgery. So many patients in this situation discuss a self pay option for this procedure.

IT sounds as if you are a good candidate. The next problem is finding a physician willing to accept these rates as payment in full. You may want to contact one of the university programs for this.