Do plastic surgeons accept insurance, and will insurance cover my surgery after weight loss surgery?

Hello, and thank you for your question about whether plastic surgeons accept insurance and if your weight loss-related surgery might be covered. Congratulations on your incredible transformation — reaching the stage where you’re ready to address excess skin is a huge milestone.

To answer your question, some plastic surgeons do accept insurance, some accept only certain plans, and many private practice surgeons do not accept insurance at all. Typically, surgeons based at universities or public hospitals that are part of teaching programs are more likely to accept a wide range of insurance plans. Private practice surgeons, especially those focused heavily on cosmetic surgery, often do not accept insurance directly — but some may still help you with documentation so you can attempt reimbursement through your carrier.

However, even if a plastic surgeon accepts insurance, that does not guarantee that your insurance company will cover your skin removal surgery. Many insurance providers exclude plastic surgery after weight loss unless you meet very specific criteria. Insurance companies usually require you to prove that the excess skin is causing medical problems, like chronic rashes, infections, ulcers, or functional impairments that interfere with daily activities.

To pursue coverage, you will likely need:

A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon

A letter of medical necessity written by the surgeon, explaining how your excess skin is causing medical issues

Photos documenting the areas of concern

Records of prior treatments for rashes or infections (like prescriptions for topical creams, antibiotics, etc.)

Insurance-specific forms completed accurately with the correct ICD-10 and CPT codes

Most plastic surgeons recommend that you first contact your insurance provider directly (using the 1-800 number on the back of your insurance card) and ask:

Does my plan cover reconstructive surgery after massive weight loss?

What documentation is required?

Are there any in-network plastic surgeons they recommend?

If you proceed, be prepared for the process to be slow — and sometimes frustrating — but it is possible for patients with strong documentation to gain partial or even full insurance approval for medically necessary procedures like a panniculectomy (removal of hanging abdominal skin). However, procedures done purely for cosmetic reasons, like a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) or thigh lift, are almost never covered unless there is a significant medical justification.

Good luck! I hope this helps guide your next steps. You’ve worked so hard to get to this point — you deserve a surgical plan that honors that.

Sincerely,
Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, MD, MBA, FASMBS, FICS
(Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons; Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery; Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, and RealSelf Hall of Fame)

Before moving forward, be sure to research your surgeon carefully. Make sure they have performed at least 100 post-weight loss reconstructive surgeries, review their before-and-after photos closely, and check verified patient reviews on RealSelf. Experience matters — especially when combining medical and cosmetic needs.

Although many plastic surgeons accept insurance, it's rare for massive weight loss procedures to be covered by insurance. The majority of insurance carriers view these procedures as cosmetic in nature and for this reason are reluctant to provide coverage. Rarely, when patients have functional problems related to hanging skin insurance companies may provide coverage. Examples might include back pain, rashes and infections.If you're considering massive weight loss surgery, it's important to discuss this issue with your plastic surgeon. Your surgeon should be able to guide you through the process.

Hello! Thank you for your question! Surgical procedures for aesthetic
purposes, to improve appearance, are not covered by insurance.
Typically, these as well as complications resulting from such procedures
are the responsibility of the patient. Procedures that are meant to
correct functional issues and those which cause health-related issues
should be covered by your insurance as a medical necessity, with proper
examination and documentation. Some insurance plans have exclusion
criteria for certain procedures. Also, it is an obligation of the
surgeon not to attempt to authorize purely cosmetic procedures through
insurance.  Body contouring procedures following massive weight loss are not commonly covered by insurance.  However, discuss your complaints - some plastic surgeons do accept insurance and you should clarify prior.  Discuss your issues and
complaints with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss these as
well as to examine and assist you in deciding which procedure(s) will be
the best for you. A discussion of the advantages and disadvantages will
take place along with the risks and benefits. Insurance companies will
vary on coverage and is always reasonable to discuss your issues with
your surgeon and primary care. It would behoove you to get as much
information as possible and even call your insurance yourself.
Certainly, pay in advance prior to your surgical procedure and options
such as financing are available if you qualify. Hope that this helps!
Best wishes!