Does any medical insurance covers a tummy tuck?

There was a time about 25 years ago when separation of the rectus muscles after childbearing known as diastasis rectus was something that could be covered for treatment under insurance.  Unfortunately, those days are long gone.  Generally speaking tummy tucks a purely cosmetic surgery and fee for service.If you have a true abdominal wall hernia some of the costs may be defrayed depending upon your plastic surgeon in your health plan but even that is a long shot.Some patients with excessive skin and severe rashes or irritations qualify for skin excision under the health plan but it is difficult to get these things approved an exquisitely rare.If cost is an issue for you I would suggest to interview a few plastic surgeons and see which one is the best value.  Value does not mean least expensive, but hopefully means the surgeon that you are most comfortable with but a reasonable price.Best

Occasionally if there is an associated medical problem such as chronic skin irritation due to excess skin insurance may play a part. Most the time however they do not cover this type of elective surgery.

Cosmetic abdominoplasty is not covered by any insurance I am aware of, but removal of extra skin after massive weight loss (panniculectomy) MIGHT be covered under certain conditions.  If you are gaining weight that is a whole other topic since we know that we never use abdominoplasty or panniculectomy as weight loss procedures.  

  Insurance will not cover a tummy tuck as it is considered cosmetic.  Some insurance companies may cover a panniculectomy.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Usually a tummy tuck is not covered by insurance. In select instances, a panniculectomy (removal of overhanging skin) may be covered provided certain criteria are met, depending on your particular insurance company.  Neither surgery is appropriate if you are gaining weight.  Good luck. 

FIrst of all, a tummy tuck will not alter the fact that you are gaining weight. Help may come from your bariatric surgeon. Abdominoplasty is typically considered cosmetic and would not as such be covered by insurance. Some cases exist where a carrier will cover a "panniculectomy" or excision of excess and overhanging skin below the navel if there are medical complications present. But a tummy tuck is not the answer to gaining weight. Best wishes. 

If you have had a gastric bypass and you lost a large amount of weight, and now you are gaining a lot of that weight back, it is possible that your stomach has stretched or reopened and you are now able to eat more food, or you are somehow taking in enough calories even in small amounts to gain weight.  Either way, the answer right now is not Plastic Surgery, the answer is to either call your General Surgeon who did your bypass or call your registered dietician and determine why you are gaining the weight back and more importantly, how to stop the weight gain and get back to weight loss.  Insurance will not cover your tummy tuck.  As the other doctors stated, a panniculectomy MAY be covered by insurance but that is not a cosmetic surgery, it is simply cutting off extra skin that hangs well below the abdomen, often covering your groin or even your thighs.You should NOT entertain ANY type of body contouring surgery until your weight is back to being stable for at least 6 months.  Best of luck!

Congratulations on your weight loss thus far; maintaining a healthy diet and exercise program will be your best bet when it comes to maintaining a long-term stable weight. Seeking advice from professionals such as  weight loss specialists/physicians, nutritionists and/or personal trainers may be in order. Body contouring surgery is not an answer when it comes to weight control.Generally speaking, unless there is some unusual circumstance, insurance companies generally do not cover 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.

What it sounds like you are looking for is a panniculectomy, which is different from a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).  A panniculectomy may be covered by insurance.  You will need a full exam from your board certified plastic surgeon.  It will depend on your specific insurance policy, whether or not they approve you for surgery.  A panniculectomy removes excess abdominal skin only.  There is no muscle tightening in the abdominal wall, and the belly button is not preserved.  A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) does tighten the muscles and keeps your belly button.  Discuss these differences with your plastic surgeon to be sure that you understand what you are looking for and what you are a good candidate for. Remember that neither a panniculectomy nor a tummy tuck are considered weight loss surgeries.  They are only to remove excess skin after the weight is lost.  If you have questions about regaining weight after your weight loss surgery, you should contact your weight loss surgeon.