Tattoo Removal Q&A
77%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
54 Reviews
Tattoo Removalbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Tattoo Removal Cost: $650

Learn about Tattoo Removal

357 people and 123 doctors are talking about Tattoo Removal

Get Free Email Updates

Will Your Insurance Help Pay for Your Tattoo Removal if Its Causing Medical Problems?

asked 9 months ago by missyxmel
Latest answer by Richard Ort, MD
Question viewed 238 times
Tags: insurance, problem

like BDD?

5 answers to Will Your Insurance Help Pay for Your Tattoo Removal if Its Causing Medical Problems?

+2

Will Pay With Allergic Reaction

The only circumstance in which an insurance company will pay for tattoo removal is if you have a persistent allergic reaction to your tattoo which does not respond to normal, conventional treatment. Allergic reactions to the metal salt used in tattoos are fairly common. Cobalt, chromium, cadmium and mercury all can lead to a reaction in allergic individuals. This is clinically in the form of bumps or nodules. Occasionally there is an generalized eczematous response. Treatment is... more
Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Virginia Beach Dermatologist
+2

Will Your Insurance Help Pay for Your Tattoo Removal if Its Causing Medical Problems?

The vast majority of medfcal insurance companies do NOT pay for cosmetic surgery (defined as procedures which do not save life or improve function). It has been proved in multiple studies that Cosmetic Surgery dos not correct certain psychiatric conditions such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) but may actually worsen it.
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Tattoo Removal

If there is an allergic reaction to tattoo pigment, then one must be very careful with laser treatment because it could cause the pigment to spread into the body and cause a generalized allergic reaction. Sometimes tattoos with allergic reactions can be excised if they are small enough. This could possibly be covered by insurance. It would be very unlikely for insurance to cover laser treatment for an ordinary tattoo. I have had insurance cover laser treatment... more
Richard Ort, MD

Lone Tree Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Insurance Coverage for Medical Problems after Tattoo Removal

While insurance could cover problems that required a doctor office visit such as an infection or allergy, in our office we would take care of a patient who had such a problem without charge. For an infection we would prescribe antibiotics, and for an allergy, steroid cream or antihistamines. In over fifteen years of treating tattoos with lasers, I can count the number of post-treatment infections on one hand, and I have seen only one case of significant allergy. That... more
Robert M. Lowen, MD

Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

www.enhanced-you.com

+1

Tattoo removal for medical reasons

Thank you for the question. In general, it would be unlikely that an insurance company would cover tattoo removal expenses. I am curious to know what kind of "medical problems" your tattoo is causing- for example if a tattoo has caused scarring that limits range of motion of a joint then it is conceivable that treatment may be covered by an insurance company. It is in your best interest to be evaluated in person by a well experienced board-certified plastic... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question