Arm lift medical necessity?

The arm tuck is never considered medically necessary, but the abdominoplasty may be for those who have lost over 100 pounds and have documented 3 months of treating the rash and fungal infections with their primary care physician.

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding the medical necessity of an arm lift and its qualification for FMLA.

Congratulations on your significant weight loss and embarking on your surgery journey. Good luck with your upcoming tummy tuck, arm lift, and breast reduction/lift.

Most plastic surgeons will complete the necessary paperwork for FMLA even if your procedure is not covered by insurance. Therefore, even if your arm lift is not covered by insurance, your plastic surgeon usually will still complete the FMLA paperwork. Given your history of back pain, rashes, and fungal infections from excessive skin, these complaints should help support your FMLA qualification.

Good luck. I wish you success in your tummy tuck, arm lift, brachioplasty, and mastopexy. I hope that I have answered your question regarding FMLA.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic Surgeon

Hello, thank you for your question. If you give your surgeon your FMLA paperwork they would be able to fill this out completely for you. Due to the fact you are having surgery this should be covered under FMLA. I doubt you can use short term disability and still get paid for an Arm lift, but I do know my office gets paperwork approved for STD for a Tummy Tuck. Worse case is if FMLA is not approved you can get ADA which is an accommodation disability act form. Best of Luck!