.Would my insurance pay for a reduction? Do I just make an appt with a recommended surgeon for consultation?

First of all, before making an appointment, you should call your insurance company to determine if breast reduction is a covered procedure and what the proper steps are.  Some may require that you be seen by your primary care first and document macromastia (large breasts) and the symptoms.  They also may require attempting conservative measures first (which never work).  Next find a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in breast reductions.  Also make sure that surgeon accepts insurance for breast reductions, as not all do.  The operating surgeon must examine you and get the final approval from your insurance company before proceeding with surgery. 
Best of Luck-Dr.Smart

With today's insurance plans under the ACA, less and less insurance companies cover breast reduction surgery despite if you may have symptoms such as painful bra strap grooving, neck, shoulder and back pain overly large breasts. However, I suggest contacting your insurance company and asking exactly what is and isn't covered in regards to treating macromastia with a breast reduction. If  they do offer coverage then ask for a list of in network providers whom you can then contact to set up an appointment and consultation with to address your concerns. 

Breast Reduction surgery has one of the highest patient satisfaction rates in plastic surgery, and can have a significant impact on ones self esteem and quality of life.
Insurance coverage is a difficult question as each carrier has its own set of requirements to determine if the procedure is medically necessary  (covered by insurance) and not simply cosmetic (not covered).
A good first step is to talk to your primary care provider about your symptoms. If they refer you to a plastic surgeon for a reduction, that is a solid step in the right direction. If your PCP deems the reduction medically necessary, I would first see consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon within your network. After a thorough consultation your plastic surgeon can help determine if insurance will be likely to cover the procedure and can help seek prior approval by your insurance provider.
I would also add that with the symptoms you have, even if your carrier refuses to cover the surgery and you have to pay "out of pocket", you may very well be quite happy having the surgery anyway as it could dramatically improve your quality of life.
Good luck!

Dear pwrm21,If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations. There is a lot of cases of insurance covered breast reductions. Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hi and thanks for your question.  Sometimes a breast reduction can be covered under insurance.  However every plan is different so it’s best for you to personally check with your insurance carrier to find out what their policy is, and what their specific criteria are for coverage, as the doctor may not know.  Contacting your plan prior to your consultation will make you better informed and potentially avoid wasting time or being disappointed.  Typically, for a breast reduction to be covered there must be documentation of functional impairment.A visit to a plastic surgeon's office will help you to understand if you're a candidate for the procedure, and what aesthetic outcomes are realistic in your particular case.  In order to get a qualified, ethical, and expert opinion on your surgical options and expectations, always schedule an in-person office consultation with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Best of luck,
Keith M. Blechman, MD
New York, NY