Will my Insurance Cover a Tummy Tuck Revision Above my Belly Button

Question

large bulge above the waist..15 years ago had a tummy tuck. I should get a mri and see my doctor..I also have diverticulosis

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Unfortunately, insurance does not cover a tummy tuck. Occasionally with documentation of recurrent infection they will pay for a panniculectomy (simply removing loose skin).#tt#tummytuck

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

You will have to consult your insurance provider to find out if your tummy tuck is covered. However, in general, the answer would be no unless it would resolve a physical impairment directly caused by excess skin and fat as well as separated muscles in the area you want to target, and a tummy tuck is proven to be the most suitable treatment for you.

Armando Soto, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi there-

	Unless the bulge you are describing can be proven to be a true hernia, revision of your tummy tuck surgery would always be considered a cosmetic procedure and would not be covered under any insurance plan.

Raj S. Ambay, MD · Answer

Insurance coverage cannot be used for cosmetic surgery. Most insurance policies explicitly state that. Moreover, many do do even cover revisions unless they are of detriment to your health and not caused by cosmetic surgery. Its a gray area and I would not expect any help from the insurance companies unless your doctor detects a true medical condition.

C. Bob Basu, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Insurance will not cover any procedures for cosmetic contouring of your abdomen.  If your bulge is an abdominal wall hernia, then insurance companies will likely cover just the hernia repair.

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS · Answer

Unless you have hernia, your insurance company will not cover for the TT revision. The bulge may be due to stretched out muscle, excess fat, or hernia. Physical examination with/without radiographic studies will demonstrate whether you have a hernia or not. Without a hernia, a bulge above the belly button is not deemed medically necessary to be covered by insurance.

Moneer Jaibaji, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. In general, insurance companies do not cover revision tummy tucks. It would difficult to comment on the large bulge without a formal examination.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

If the bulge is a true hernia, you should expect coverage for the hernia repair, but not for revision of the TT.  The usual imaging study for an abdominal wall hernia is a CT scan, which may be appropriate if your doctor feels you have a hernia that warrants surgical repair. 

	Depending upon where you live, if you do have a hernia years after a tummy tuck, you may well be better off seeing a general surgeon with expertise in hernia repair.

	 

	Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	Although not possible to give you precise advice without direct examination, there is nothing in your description that  sounds “medically necessary”. Direct communication with your insurance company may be more helpful to you.

	Best wishes.

Will my Insurance Cover a Tummy Tuck Revision Above my Belly Button

Answers (9)

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