Would insurance cover 2nd breast reduction (17 years later) and arm lift? (Photos)

Typically insurance companies required 500 grams composed of fat and glandular tissue be removed  from each breast.  You may just need another BL.  Depending upon how the skin redrapes and the contour looks, the PS makes judgments in creating the best looking breasts possible with the smallest scar.  It's unlikely that the arm lift will be covered by your medical insurance.BRs which are medically necessary (i.e. you suffer back, shoulder, and neck "pain" with DOCUMENTED medical attention over a period of a YEAR) are typically covered by medical insurance.  If not, your medical insurance may try to deny you based upon a lot of things such as weight, lack of symptoms, lack of previous medical management, and lack of enough tissue that should be removed. 
Read your medical insurance certificate of coverage. Determine what medical information is required for your medical provider to issue a pre-authorization or predetermination of benefits for BR surgery.  Then seek consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate your medical condition, discuss the pros and cons of this surgery as it applies to you, determine the amount of tissue to be removed, and help you in completing the paperwork required by your medical insurance company. 

Thanks for your question! Depending on your insurance, I think there is a chance that insurance would cover a breast reduction; however, I think it's unlikely that it would cover the upper arm lift. I would suggest consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon to evaluate your options. Best of luck!

Thank you for your question. Sorry to hear about the pain you are experiencing. With documented information some insurance companies can possible cover a breast reduction. I with advise you to schedule a consultation with a board certified surgeon.

From your photographs, you do not appear large enough to meet insurance requirement for a breast reduction.  The technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method.  This will reduce and reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  The weight of the breast is transferred to the underlying pectoralis major muscle resulting in pain relief without excessive reduction.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained, if not injured during your previous surgery.  Insurance companies do not cover breast lift or brachioplasty for extra arm skin.Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Dear selghadi,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Breast reduction is best suited for women who wish to decrease the size of their breasts. While there are different techniques used to perform this surgery, I prefer the vertical incision (lollipop pattern) breast reduction technique instead of the anchor scar pattern, which reduces more noticeable scarring than usual. I also use a SAFE liposuction technique to reduce additional fat around the stubborn axilla area and bra line. This way, my patients are achieving beautiful results with minimal incisions which reduces downtime and delivers an overall better breast shape long term. 
If you are considering breast reduction surgery, you should consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options and make sure your surgeon understands your goals. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Your situation is more of a lift than breast reduction.  I very much doubt insurance will cover it or the arm lift.

Candidates for breast reduction will typically have documented evidence of neck/back and shoulder pain as well as rashes and bra strap grooving attributable to the increased breast weight. They will often demonstrate that these symptoms have been resistant to more conservative measures like therapy, weight loss and pharmacologic intervention. This is needed for insurance coverage.
In addition to establishing a case for medical necessity, there are also requirements for resection weight (when covered by insurance). This may be a standard "500 gm per side" stipulation or a more variable standard based upon body surface area/Schnur scale.
Insurance coverage is contingent on the meeting the requirements (which will vary) for establishing a case for medical necessity.
With regards to your specific question, revision reduction must meet the same criterion as a primary reduction. Based upon your narrative, you would seem to be a reasonable candidate. Arm lift/brachioplasty is less commonly covered than breast reduction as the medical necessity must be similarly proven. This more often considered cosmetic.
As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).
Donovan Rosas MD
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons
RealSelf Verified Member
RealSelf Top 100
RealSelf Hall of Fame 

Hi and welcome to our forum!
Breast reduction is both cosmetic
and functional, as the procedure often alleviates neck pain, shoulder pain,
back pain, bra strap grooving, and chronic rashes beneath the breasts
due to their added weight. The reduction procedure is most
often performed to regain proper body proportion.
From your photographs, your breasts
are only of moderate size demonstrating minimal sag. Breast
reduction is often indicated even if insurance coverage cannot be obtained.
From the insurance standpoint,
different companies have different criteria. Some will require a surgical
specimen to be of a certain weight, most will accept confirmed symptoms over a
certain period of time, some require a course of preoperative
physical therapy. As you have back pain, orthopedic and neurosurgical causes
must be ruled out. Excessively loose upper arm skin rarely is of functional significance and therefore will likely not be covered by insurance.
I recommend a consultation with a
board certified plastic surgeon. After evaluation / examination, a letter
requesting preauthorization can be submitted to your insurance carrier. You
also may wish to obtain information directly from your insurance carrier
to determine their criteria for acceptance. 
Seek a consultation with a board
certified plastic surgeon for in-person evaluation and discussion..
Best
wishes...