.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

Insurance companies have varying policies concerning aesthetic surgeries. It would be best to contact your insurance firm and discuss your concern. 

Based on your bra size and symptoms, you sound like an excellent candidate for breast reduction.  It will reduce your breast size significantly, lift your breasts and relieve your neck and back strain.  Your breasts can become a part of your body you love rather than a burden.  I consider all breast reductions medically necessary.  That doesn't mean insurance will cover it and all companies are different.  Many are trending toward covering only in cases of breast cancer.  Consult with an ASPS surgeon and they will help you determine whether your company would cover, and what cost would be.  It's worth it, and most hospitals/surgery centers discount self pay procedures significantly from insurance rates.  Good luck!

 I am sorry to hear about the problems your disproportionately large breasts may be causing; based on your description, you may be an excellent candidate for breast reduction surgery. “Official” recommendations of course would necessitate in-person consultation.
Breast reduction surgery is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform. By removing “excess” breast tissue, adipose tissue, and breast skin  this operation reduces and lifts the breasts to a higher position on the chest wall. By doing so, patients often find improvement in neck, back, and shoulder discomfort and find it easier to form their activities of daily living and exercise.
Of course, every operation carries risks that you should be aware of and should consider carefully as you make your decisions, whether or not to proceed. Some of the risks/potential complications associated with breast reduction surgery include: infection, bleeding, seroma, hematoma, wound healing problems, abnormal scarring ( hypertrophic or keloid), loss of sensation, inability to breast-feed, breast asymmetry, necrosis of tissue or skin, unsatisfactory cosmetic results, unpredictability of exact cup size postoperatively, recurrence of the breast hypertrophy, and the potential for further surgery. other risks related to surgery in general include deep venous thrombosis (clots), pulmonary embolism, pneumonia and even death.
Best to check directly with your insurance company to see whether breast reduction surgery is a “covered” benefit with your specific policy. Then, given that every insurance company has different “criteria”, best to identify exactly what your specific insurance company considers criteria for approval. Generally, 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. Again, your insurance company will be able to be more specific when it comes to what "hoops" they want you to jump through. Also, for many insurance companies, the closer you are to your long-term ideal weight, the better.
This documentation and letter/pictures from your plastic surgeon will help you obtain authorization.  
Also, prepare to be persistent when dealing with health insurance companies. 
My best advice: select your plastic surgeon carefully. Make sure that he/she has significant experience achieving the types of outcomes you will be pleased with. Then, communicate your goals carefully, as well. Working together you will come up with a good plan to achieve your goals. 
Best wishes.

The answer is it depends on the insurance carrier. I would suggest you call and ask if a breast reduction could be a covered procedure as long as you are able to meet that carriers requirements to prove medical necessity.In my experience, the consultation would be covered (check to see if you need a referral from a primary care physician). An experienced plastic surgeon office familiar with your insurance will likely be able to guide you on requirements.

You would need to check with your insurance company first to determine what their criteria are for coverage. Then you should see a plastic surgeon for evaluation.  Best of luck.