Does Insurance Cover Botox or Not?

Dear Mike,
Most insurance carriers do not cover elective, cosmetic procedures like wrinkle reduction.
BOTOX has some medical, non-cosmetic applications which could be covered by insurance.
I hope this helps, and best regards.

Dear Mike
BOTOX and the newly approved Dysport are botulinum toxin A products that are used for both cosmetic and medical problems. The most remarkable thing about these products is the range of conditions that can be benefited by treatment with these agents.
The actual coverage of a typical health insurance plan very much varies not just by the particular insurance company but also by what an employer group chooses to include is it health insurance benefits. So it is important to confirm with your health plan what is and is not covered, and what services require prior approval.
Medical conditions that are treated with botulinum toxin A generally include conditions caused by chronic muscle spasm. These conditions can be severe and disabling such as cervical torticollis, essential blepharospams to give just two examples. Treatment of these conditions with BOTOX and Dysport have been a major advance in improving the quality of life for people suffering from these conditions. Treated for these types of conditions is generally covered with some limitations by health insurance plans.
BOTOX and Dysport are also used in much smaller doses to improve facial appearance. We may not like the line between our eyebrows but obviously it is not disabling. Treating the line with these agents makes us look better but like most cosmetic services, this is not a covered benefit under health insurance.
By the way, asking your doctor to tell your tell your health insurance company that your are getting cosmetic BOTOX treatment for a medically necessary condition when it is in fact for cosmetic reasons is called fraud. Your doctor can loose their medical license for this and you both could be subject to criminal prosecution.
Dr. Steinsapir