Will Insurance Pay for Hernia Surgery with Tummy Tuck?

Most insurance companies will cover the hernia repair procedure. You should start with consultation visit with surgeon of you choice to determine what type of hernia it is. The next step is to pre-certify the procedure with your insurance company. It can be done over the phone or some insurance companies will need a letter for predetermination of that benefit under your plan. Once the procedure is approved by your insurance you can proceed with surgery.

There are two issues here: 1) should the hernia be repaired at the same time and 2) will insurance cover a portion of the procedure. If the hernia is a true umbilical hernia, repairing at the same time as a full tummy tuck may result in compromise of the circulation of the umbilicus. Furthermore, these defects are increasingly being repaired laparascopically or with the use of mesh. In some instances, hospitals do not grant these privileges to plastic surgeons and a general surgeon may be the one who performs the repair and the one who bills for reimbrusement. In regards to reimbursement, most facilities have separate fees and will bill for these individually with pre-payment for the cosmetic portion