I was wondering if my medical card would pay to fix my hernia and cut extra skin off?

Question

I have terrible, deep stretch marks on my belly all the way up past my belly button. I have ALOT of extra skin! I also have a up an down c-section scar. And i have a hernia by my belly button. It hurts so, so bad! It feels like all the extra skin on my belly pulls on my hernia! It hurts when I wear jeans. Sometimes I just sit an cry! I was wondering if my medical card ( MD physicians care ) would pay to get the hernia fixed an cut off my extra skin?

Janet Woodyard, MD · Answer

Hernia repairs are covered by insurance. Removal of excess skin and stretch marks is cosmetic and not covered by insurance.

Steven J. Rottman, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the question. Sorry to hear you are having pain. The hernia repair should be covered by your insurance company but, unfortunately, the skin excess typically is not. I commonly repair the hernia at the time of the tummy tuck surgery. It is best to see a board certified plastic surgeon who commonly performs this procedure. I hope this helps and good luck!

James E. Chappell, MD · Answer

Hernia should be  covered by insurance. Removal of the extra skin would not. I do not think the insurance companies would find a connection between the two. Certainly fixing the hernia at the time of abdominoplasty would be very appropriate. Best of luck to you.

Luke J. Curtsinger, MD · Answer

I am sorry that you are having symptoms.  Those symptoms may press you to get something done. Hernias are typically considered a covered service.  Tummy Tucks typically are not covered and considered cosmetic, but many patients find great satisfaction and relief by saving the money to pay for the surgery.  If you have both a hernia and excess skin, your plastic surgeon may be able to fix both and discount your tummy tuck fee and accept what the insurance allows for the hernia.   The tummy tuck won't be 'free', but you may be able to get it done at a reduced cost to you.

Robert Brueck, MD · Answer

I would gop see a plastic surgeon and he may have to write to your insurance company to see if they will pay for this.They should at least pay for the hernia repair.

I was wondering if my medical card would pay to fix my hernia and cut extra skin off?

Answers (7)

Answer: Hernia Repair is Usually Covered, Tummy Tuck is Usually Not.

Answer: Hernia Repair is Usually Covered, Tummy Tuck is Usually Not.

Answer: Tummy tuck plus hernia

Answer: Tummy tuck plus hernia

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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I was wondering if my medical card would pay to fix my hernia and cut extra skin off?

Answers (7)

Answer: Hernia Repair is Usually Covered, Tummy Tuck is Usually Not.

Answer: Hernia Repair is Usually Covered, Tummy Tuck is Usually Not.

Answer: Tummy tuck plus hernia

Answer: Tummy tuck plus hernia

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

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