Will BCBS pay for a bra line lift? They already approved of the panniculectomy and axillary breast tissue and skin removal (phot

Hello, Thank you for your questions regarding will Blue Cross Blue Shield pay for a bra line lift. It is difficult to say what medical insurance companies will cover. Each individual medical insurance company has their own policies. Even within the medical insurance companies, there are different plans. Sometimes medical insurance plans cover everything. Some medical insurance plans do not cover anything.  One of the difficulties with medical insurance coverage for massive weight loss patients is that there is no standardized objective measures. In your case, since Blue Cross Blue Shield has approved your panniculectomy and axillary breast tissue removal, I would ask your plastic surgeon to submit also for removal of excess back skin and fat. It is impossible to determine if your medical insurance will approve your upper back lift or not. If you have medical conditions like chronic rashes or back/shoulder pain due to excess back fat, these conditions may positively influence whether your medical insurance will approve your upper back lift.  Please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in massive weight loss patients. If you can not find such a plastic surgery specialist locally, please consider traveling out-of-state.  If the upper back lift or bra strap lift is approved, I would perform this procedure after your panniculectomy.  I believe your procedures should be staged. Thank you for your questions regarding medical insurance coverage for a bra line lift, bra strap lift, or upper body lift. Good luck! I hope that I have answered your questions regarding bra line lift, bra strap lift, or upper body lift and medical  insurance approval.  If you have any questions regarding a bra strap lift, upper body lift, or medical  insurance, please contact my office. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.

A back lift is not typically covered under insurance as it is considered cosmetic. You can contact your carrier though to find out if it is indeed a covered benefit and the criteria needed in ordered to get approval for coverage.

Hello, and thank you for your question. (Keep in mind that
an in-person consultation is necessary for the best advice.) Upper back lifts *may* be medically necessary in a few select circumstances (e.g., massive weight loss + rashes or infections) and thus *may* be covered by your medical insurance provider. 
Read your medical insurance certificate of
coverage. Determine what medical information is required for your medical
insurance provider to issue a pre-authorization or predetermination of
benefits for the procedure. Then, gather that information,
and schedule a consult with a plastic surgeon.
If you
decide to pursue surgery it’s very important that you find a surgeon whom you
are comfortable with and trust and who evaluates you in-person, addresses your
concerns, and tailors an individualized treatment plan for you and your aesthetic
goals. Best of luck!
Matthew
A. DelMauro, M.D.