Insurance Coverage to Remove Excess Fat Below Armpits?

You will have to consult your insurance provider to find out if your liposuction is covered. However, in general, the answer would be no unless it would resolve a physical impairment directly caused by excess subcutaneous fat in the area you want to target. However, you may be able to still cover your surgery with financing. Payments can be as little as a couple hundred dollars a month.

The fullness in the armpit area may well be fat, but may represent accessory breast tissue.  In some women, "extra" breast tissue can be located outside the breast itself and appear in the axilla.  The insurance question is always a tough one.  I have had some patients that the "mass' effect of the area rubs against their inner arms, and their health insurance covered their surgery.  However, it is impossible to guarantee that.  It would be wise to consult with a plastic surgeon who participates with your health insurance plan, and your surgeon can help address the issue of insurance coverage.  It is definitely worth pursuing a determination on whether your insurance will cover the surgery.  Best wishes.

Michael Vincent, MD, FACS

Excess fat below the armpits is an aesthetic deformity and not a reconstructive/functional one. As a result, this is considered to be cosmetic and will not be covered by any insurance.