Does Medicaid pay for tummy tuck?

Hello and thank-you for your question and photo.A tummy-tuck (abdominoplasty) is considered a cosmetic procedure which is generally not covered by health insurance. This procedure removes excess skin and fat, lifts the pubic area, tightens the muscles, and reshapes the umbilicus (belly button). If you have had a large weight loss and have excess skin which hangs past your pubic area (pannus), health insurance may pay for a portion of the procedure to remove it (panniculectomy). This may lessen some of the cost of the abdominoplasty, but is frequently difficult to have approved by insurance carriers. I would recommend a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. I wish you the best of luck, Andrew Lyos MD, FACS. Tweet

Hello,You should check with your state's Medicaid office but I am unaware of any situation in which Medicaid will pay for a tummy tuck. Good luck.

Great question! Medicaid would consider a tummy tuck as a cosmetic procedure. Generally speaking, medicaid will only cover medically necessary and for emergent issues. 

Most likely-not. It's an elective procedure. Most Practices offer financing options for patients who qualify.

Tummy tuck surgery or abdominoplasty is considered an elective cosmetic procedure and is not covered by Medicaid or private insurance. The only skin removal surgery on the abdomen that is sometimes covered by insurance is called a panniculectomy which does not involve tightening of the abdomen muscles or cosmetic relocation of the belly button. A panniculectomy can be covered by insurance when the amount of skin draping over the belt line is severe and when there are problems with skin hygiene due to the overhanging skin. Check your insurance provider for more specific details as they are different with each insurance plan.

A TT is considered elective cosmetic surgery and will not be covered by Medicaid.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Thank you for your question.  No insurance company, nor Medicare or Medicaid, will cover any type of purely cosmetic procedure.  A tummy Tuck is considered a purely cosmetic procedure.  However, there are different financing options available to most patients.

Unfortunately, Medicaid will not cover a tummy tuck. It is considered a cosmetic procedure and Medicaid is meant to provide services for life saving events. Best wishes. 

Medicaid nor private insurance pays for a tummy tuck.  It is considered an elective cosmetic procedure.  In some cases they may pay for removal of excessive loose fat and skin that causes other health problems (called a panniculectomy), but it does not cover the traditional tummy tuck.