My daughter is 14 and has dealt with 32ddd breast for the past 3 years. It causes back and neck pain and the straps on her bras also leave marks on her shoulders so she goes to a physical therapist which has not helped relieve her pain. My question is, Is it legal for an minor to receive breast reduction surgery and would an insurance company even consider covering part of the cost?
June 6, 2014
Answer: My daughter is 14 yrs old and has 32DDD which is causing her back/neck pain. Can a minor get a Breast Reduction? I am glad your daughter has your attention and support; juvenile breast hypertrophy can be quite distressing physically, emotionally, and psychosocially. A good place to start would be with her pediatrician and/or any specialist (endocrinologist) necessary. Although it is probably too early to consider breast reduction surgery, it is not too early to learn about the procedures available, as well as the potential risk/complications associated with breast reduction surgery.In my practice, timing of breast reduction surgery is determined on a case-by-case basis. Unsatisfactory scarring is one of the potential complications. Make sure she also understands that further surgery may be necessary in the future (for example if the breasts were to grow in size again). On the other hand, breast reduction surgery is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform and I think that for the right teenager (enough symptoms) it may be an excellent option (regardless of the age). Sometimes breast reduction surgery is covered through health insurance. The best way to obtain insurance coverage for breast reduction surgery involves some “hoops” to jump through. The more documentation you have (for example, from your primary care doctor, physical therapist, chiropractor etc.) the better when it comes to obtaining insurance “authorization” for the procedure. This documentation and letter/pictures from your plastic surgeon will help you obtain authorization. When the time is right, seek consultation with well-trained/experienced board-certified plastic surgeons. I hope this, and the attached link, helps.
Helpful
June 6, 2014
Answer: My daughter is 14 yrs old and has 32DDD which is causing her back/neck pain. Can a minor get a Breast Reduction? I am glad your daughter has your attention and support; juvenile breast hypertrophy can be quite distressing physically, emotionally, and psychosocially. A good place to start would be with her pediatrician and/or any specialist (endocrinologist) necessary. Although it is probably too early to consider breast reduction surgery, it is not too early to learn about the procedures available, as well as the potential risk/complications associated with breast reduction surgery.In my practice, timing of breast reduction surgery is determined on a case-by-case basis. Unsatisfactory scarring is one of the potential complications. Make sure she also understands that further surgery may be necessary in the future (for example if the breasts were to grow in size again). On the other hand, breast reduction surgery is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform and I think that for the right teenager (enough symptoms) it may be an excellent option (regardless of the age). Sometimes breast reduction surgery is covered through health insurance. The best way to obtain insurance coverage for breast reduction surgery involves some “hoops” to jump through. The more documentation you have (for example, from your primary care doctor, physical therapist, chiropractor etc.) the better when it comes to obtaining insurance “authorization” for the procedure. This documentation and letter/pictures from your plastic surgeon will help you obtain authorization. When the time is right, seek consultation with well-trained/experienced board-certified plastic surgeons. I hope this, and the attached link, helps.
Helpful