My silicone breast implants were placed in1983. Will Medicare/United Healthcare supplement cover any of the costs involved?

Thank you for your question.   Please contact your local Medicare office.  They will tell you the Board Certified Plastic Surgeons that are on their panel. I would also contact the United Healthcare office.   I would then see the Plastic Surgeon.  They can submit the case and Medicare will determine if it is medically necessary.  If they determine that it is medically necessary they will cover the procedure.  They typically do not cover implant issues if placed for cosmetic reasons.  You have a better chance with coverage if they were placed for reconstruction or, if they are ruptured gel implants placed before 1992, (old style silicone).   The other issue is that Medicare does not give pre-approval, so the decision of coverage is made after the operation is done.  United healthcare may pick up the cost but the decisions are so variable that it is hard to guess.  Best to see an experienced, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.  Together you will work out a plan.
Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Las Vegas Plastic Surgery

If your breast #implants are ruptured, or, more than 10 years old, consideration should be given to replacement.  Health insurance does not often #cover the #costs for removal or replacement. So, it is best to contact your #insurance company directly and confirm for sure. If such procedures are not covered,many #payments plans exist for cosmetic procedures. Ask your surgeon's office about programs and lenders they may recommend as well as personal loans available through  finanical institutions. many Plastic surgeons who have specialized in breast surgery and cosmetic surgery are suitable to perform your breast augmentation #revision. Aside from checking board-certification, it is suggested that you look at before and after photos of the surgeons actual patients, and read patient reviews. Gathering all of this information will help you make a well-informed decision.

As far as I know this is not a forum for insurance questions. Insurance questions- should be directed to insurance companies. 

It is highly likely that your 30plus year old silicone breast implant is ruptured. Thankfully this is not dangerous to your health but the (probable) resulting capsular contracture can be painful and unsightly. It is highly unlikely that Medicare (or any supplement) will cover surgery related to an originally cosmetic Breast augmentation. Many insurance companies used to cover removal of ruptured implants but few ever covered replacement. The problem with Medicare is that they do not allow "predetermination of benefits" so it is very risky to assume they will cover it. I recommend calling your insurance carrier and seeing what you can find out about your specific plan. I recommend seeing an experience board certified plastic surgeon who takes Medicare to find out your options. 

Each insurance company is different, but it is our experience that Medicare won't cover any procedure that could be considered cosmetic.  I would contact your insurance company or schedule an appointment with a plastic surgeon to see what his or her recommendations are.

Greetings,I would think that it is unlikely that Medicare will cover the complications which you have experienced with your old silicone implants if they were placed for cosmetic reasons.  If they were placed for breast reconstruction, your care should be a covered benefit...  Telephone calls to United Healthcare and Medicare should help answer this question for you.Since you are having pain and motion restriction in your shoulder, you should obtain a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon with an examination and screening testing (mammogram and, or, MRI), as indicated. Treatment options for your breast problems could be discussed during this visit...Best Regards,

Medicare will only cover complications of noncosmetic procedures.  They used to cover complications of breast implants placed for cosmetic reasons, but for some reason would now prefer to pay high medical bills of the patients who are ill from their defective breast implants.