Do you think, because of my spinal condition and pain, insurance would cover surgery for my diastasis recti?

There is always a possibility that you will have an improvement in back issues with a tightening of the abdominal wall but it is not guaranteed. It's doubtful that medical insurance would cover the surgery for diastasis recti repair.

It is possible that they could cover this if they believe that it would fix your condition. However, I would find this to be unlikely as it is mostly a cosmetic procedure unless there’s also a hernia developing in the diastasis.

Diastasis recti is when the rectus or six pack muscles separate away from the midline either due to pregnancy of massive weight loss or at time genetics.  This separation, if severe, causes the muscle to not function properly.  Many patients state that the lower back pain is improved or resolved after repair.This procedure can be performed along a tummy tuck procedure or separate from such a procedure by making a smaller incision, similar to a c section and performing the repair that way.This procedure is still considered cosmetic as there is no procedure code to document this.  Therefore insurance companies will not cover this procedure.Hope that helps.

Dear Mommamack19,
it is unlikely that your health insurance will cover the costs for diastasis recti repair. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello, 
Thank you for your great question!  I have worked on a number of patients who suffer from diastasis recti to varying degrees from mild to severe.  I have had great outcomes using a meshless approach to correcting the diastasis as well as existing hernia(s).  Many patients have expressed relief to their lower back as correcting the connective tissue back to the midline brings back the proper anatomical structure of the abdomen, allowing for greater function of the core as a whole.  I recommend seeking out a Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon with extensive experience with correcting DR. 
In terms of insurance coverage, unfortunately, there is no code for diastasis recit repair specifically. Unsure if your preexisting condition will impact coverage but have yet to see DR repair get covered as most policies see diastasis recti repair as a cosmetic procedure.

There are reports of improvement in back pain after diastasis recti repair since more abdominal support is created during the surgery. That being said, it is up to the insurance company to determine if they are willing to cover your procedure. It is more likely that they will recommend other methods of treating back pain besides surgery. Before submitting for authorization from insurance, you will need an in-office physical examination and assessment. Hope this helps!
Johnson C. Lee, MD 
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon