Will my health insurance cover my tummy tuck?

A tummy tuck is considered cosmetic surgery and is not covered by health insurance. Depending on the criteria some insurances could cover a panniculectomy, which is a procedure that removes all the excess skin that hangs over the groin area.

Thank you for your question. The tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is not considered a medically necessary surgery so it is not covered by medical insurance.  A panniculectomy, which the excision of the skin that hangs over the groin area, can often times be covered by medical insurance when certain criteria is met.  I have had patients add a full tummy tuck to an insurance covered panniculectomy.  In some cases, doing this can lower the costs of a tummy tuck.  I would recommend seeing a board certified plastic surgeon, that accepts your insurance, to determine whether this could be an option for you.Good luck!

I have never had an "insurance" entity authorize  tummy tuck surgery. In other words, insurance companies do not consider this operation medically necessary. Sometimes, however insurance companies will cover excision of lower abdominal wall skin/apron;  this operation is called a panniculectomy. 


Best wishes.