Does Blue Cross Shield cover tummy tucks?

Because tummy tucks are considered cosmetic procedures, insurance doesn’t generally cover them. However, you can reach out to your provider to confirm this.

Thank you for your question.  The short answer is "probably not".  If your excess skin contributes to medical problems such as rashes and sores, then the insurance company may cover a procedure to remove that overhanging skin (called a "panniculectomy"), but likely not a full tummy tuck.I recommend consulting with several plastic surgeons in your area to discuss your options, including any insurance coverage.Best,Dr. Michael EpsteinMAE Plastic SurgeryNorthbrook, IL

Highly unlikely that Blue Cross would cover a tummy tuck or any cosmetic surgery.  Insurance companies cover medical necessary procedures after appropriate preauthorization; not cosmetic surgery.

Dear Sheccid17,cosmetic procedures are not covered by health insurance. 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

Unfortunately, insurance will never cover a true tummy tuck.  A true tummy tuck is an advanced cosmetic procedure and these are not covered by insurance.  Insurance will sometimes cover a smaller procedure called a panniculectomy.   Although some patients and non surgeon physicians use the terms interchangeably they are very different procedures.  A panniculectomy is just a simple procedure to remove a roll of excess skin from the waist but it does not involve all the complex steps done in a real abdominoplasty aka tummy tuck.  The criteria are very strict to legitimately have a panniculectomy covered by insurance and usually involves failing 6 months of appropriate conservative medical therapy among other things.  The panniculectomy is a smaller functional surgery that does not make the dramatic improvements in appearance that you get with a real abdominoplasty.  Best of Luck on your journey.

No insurance does not pay for cosmetic surgery. They pay for functional surgery or surgery that prevents disease or treats disease. In our world that is breast reductions and panniculectomies in qualified patients.Best

A tummy tuck is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance. Many surgeons can refer you to financing companies to help you with fees. We accept PatientFi, Care Credit, and Alphaeon Credit.

Insurance companies generally do not cover tummy tuck as they consider it a cosmetic procedure.  Tummy tuck will tighten up the rectus muscle and remove the excess skin and fat of the lower abdomen.  Good luck!

Thank you for the question. This is a common inquiry. As stated above, it depends. First, it depends on your definitions. Some people use the phrase “tummy tuck” to loosely refer to any removal of lower abdominal skin and fat. Simple removal of overhanging skin and fat is more appropriately called a panniculectomy. Some insurance companies do cover panniculectomy. If you develop frequent fungal infections or rashes under your pannus (overhanging skin) you have a disorder called: intertrigo. Insurance companies do, rarely however, cover panniculectomy for intertrigo. A panniculectomy is a functional procedure. It will be important to obtain records from your primary provider documenting the diagnosis of intertrigo. The reports should also state the treatments that have been tried and shown to be ineffective, therefore warranting the need for a panniculectomy. Your surgeon will need to obtain pre-authorization from your insurance company to perform the panniculectomy. Second, it depends on your expectations. The phrase “tummy tuck” is used, by many, interchangeably with “abdominoplasty.” A true abdominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that has 3 components. An abdominoplasty includes: removal of the lower abdominal skin and fat, relocation of the umbilicus and plication of the rectus muscles to address rectus diastasis (separation). An abdominoplasty is often combined with abdominal liposuction to further enhance your abdominal contour. It would be highly unlikely for an insurance company to cover an abdominoplasty. An evaluation by your plastic surgeon will help determine which procedure is right for you. Good luck. 

Insurance will not cover tummy tuck despite issues such as back pain and laxity from diastasis after pregnancy. Insurance has even become much more reluctant to cover panniculectomy after weight loss unless recurrent infection is well documented.