Does GEHA Cover Breast Reduction?

You can check with your insurance company if they cover breast reductions. An in surance company has certain prerequisites for coverage. They want your height and weight, pictures, and documentation ofr back troubles with results of x-rays and treatment dates. They may also ask for two letters from docors and copies of physical therapy etc. They make it very difficult and try to reject preauthorizations. A patient and their doctor then goes through an appeal process. This takes months. Some patients just pay for the surgey themselves if insurance does not cover it. Some companies have dropped it from their plans. They are not our friends.

Smoking increases your chances of complications and decreases blood flow to the skin and nipple. Smokers can have severe complications such as nipple loss, tissue loss, and infections.

Breast reduction patients are some of the happiest patients in my practice and I encourage you to quit smoking and have the procedure done.

 

Leo Lapuerta MD

 Every insurance company has different policy and requirements for breast reduction coverage. These requirements seem to be getting more strict as time goes by. You would need to check with your insurance company regarding your specific policy.

You should also stop smoking prior to surgery; I asked patients to stop any form of nicotine use one month prior to surgery. I think that you will find that the benefits you will gain from the breast reduction surgery will be worth it.

Best wishes.

You need to first determine whether breast reduction is a covered procedure under your insurance policy. If it is, you should schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area who can do a full assessment and then submit the information to GEHA. Supporting documentation is needed including information that falls within their coverage criteria.

Good luck!