66 years old with large, sagging breasts. Would I be a candidate for reduction & lift and would Medicare pay some of the costs?

Question

I have gone from a 36DD bra to a 36F. I keep an angry, red, raised rash under my breasts. I have seen a dermatologist. Would I be a candidate for reduction and lift and would Medicare pay some of the costs. I also have Tricare for Life.

Jonathan Sarik, MD · Answer

That’s an excellent question! First, let me say that every patient is unique so for a definitive answer you’ll need to see a plastic surgeon in person. But in general, yes! Based on your symptoms, you would likely benefit from a breast reduction, or more accurately a reduction mastopexy. Technically speaking when we do a reduction we also do a lift which is called a “mastopexy”. Your symptoms are very common for women with large breasts, and the addition of back/neck pain usually completes the list of concerns for patients. 
When dealing with insurance coverage, in general these are the criteria I have found that they look for:
1. Back/Neck pain that doesn’t resolve with conservative treatment.2. Bra strap grooving in the shoulders3. Interference with your activities of daily living4. Recurrent intertrigo (red rash under the breasts)
Hope this helps!

66 years old with large, sagging breasts. Would I be a candidate for reduction & lift and would Medicare pay some of the costs?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

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66 years old with large, sagging breasts. Would I be a candidate for reduction & lift and would Medicare pay some of the costs?

Answers (1)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.