Will medicaid pay for liposuction in the lower abdomen?

Medicaid does not cover cosmetic procedures. One must demonstrate a medical indication for surgery in order to obtain pre-approval for a procedure.A patient seeking liposuction of the lower abdomen must justify medically the necessity for the procedure. Cosmetic change is inadequate.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Medicaid will not cover anything that is considered cosmetic.  There are several companies (Care Credit, Alphaeon) that finance plastic surgery procedures. Patients can also use their credit card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX).  Speak with the patient coordinator of the board certified plastic surgeon you are considering to perform your procedures about the possibility of using Consumer Care Finance.
Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Thank you for your question. For the most part, major insurance companies, including Medicaid, do not cover cosmetic procedures, unless it is deemed medically necessary, such as reconstructive plastic surgery. The definition of cosmetic surgery varies, though from an insurance perspective, cosmetic surgery refers to any surgery with the purpose to modify or improve the appearance of a physical feature with no specific medical reason to do so. A medical need could include a condition that causes significant physical dysfunction or psychological distress to a patient, but many health insurance companies have defined criteria to determine if the surgery meets the requirements for coverage. However, most plastic surgeons offer financing for their patients, making the procedures affordable even without insurance assistance.Kamran Azad MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Thanks for your question! No, Medicaid or Medicare will not pay for any breast or body contouring procedure. However, there are many financing options available to help with achieving your surgical goals. Best of luck to you! 

No, liposuction is considered a cosmetic procedure. For best results with liposuction, I recommend a hi definition procedure like VASER liposuction. I use VASER HI DEF with ThermiRF and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and definition. This combination will give you the most toned result. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hi definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer

No, MedicAid will not pay for liposuction as it is a cosmetic procedure. Liposuction has to be paid for outside the insurance arena and is typically paid before the procedure. However, there are ways to finance the surgery that may interest you. Good luck!