Is there any loopholes to get insurance to pay for an upper and lower body lift?

Question

I'm 18 and lost over 100 pounds. I have a lot of saggy skin and feel like an old lady. It's very stressful for me to be covered in all this wrinkly and saggy skin. I cry about this daily. I won't date either. I've considered going to Mexico to get these surgeries done because I can't afford them in the US. I tried to get insurance to cover it and also applied for care credit but was denied. Is there any other way to get insurance to cover these surgeries?

Reza Momeni, MD, FACS · Answer

Most insurance carriers pay for surgery only if it helps fix a medical or functional problem.  Most body lifts are not done to fix a functional problem, but to make patients look and feel better.  That is the definition of cosmetic surgeries.  There may be exceptions in rare cases, but even those sometimes are not covered by insurance carriers, due to the fact that specific procedures such as tummy tuck, body lift, arm lift, or breast lift may be "exclusions in coverage benefits" under a patient's policy.  This means that they will not be covered even if a patient and the doctor prove that the procedure is medically necessary.As for "loopholes", honest surgeons (the type you probably want operating on you) will not get anywhere near them, as putting their signatures on false records and reports will jeopardize their standing with the State medical board, with the state government, and with the federal government.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding whether insurance can help cover an upper or lower body lift after significant weight loss. First, I want to acknowledge how hard it is to lose over 100 pounds—this is a huge achievement, especially at 18. I'm sorry to hear how much the loose skin is affecting your self-esteem and quality of life. You're not alone, and there are paths forward.

While most cosmetic procedures like a body lift are not covered by insurance, there are exceptions—but they require very specific documentation. Insurance companies may consider covering a panniculectomy (removal of the overhanging abdominal skin) if you can show that the excess skin causes chronic rashes, infections, or wounds that require repeated treatment. These must be documented by your primary care provider or dermatologist, ideally over several months. Photographs, prescription history, and visit notes all help build a strong case.

Unfortunately, upper body lifts, arm lifts, and thigh lifts are almost never covered unless they can be tied to ongoing skin breakdown or functional impairment. Even then, approval is extremely rare. There are no true "loopholes," but persistence, medical necessity, and prior authorization letters from a board-certified plastic surgeon can improve your chances. Look for a surgeon who works with insurance and is willing to submit documentation for pre-authorization. Be sure to ask if they’ve had success with your specific insurance plan.

As for financing, if you were denied CareCredit, there are other lenders like Alphaeon Credit, United Medical Credit, or local credit unions that might offer medical loans. Some patients also explore medical tourism, but if you go that route, be cautious and thoroughly research the surgeon’s credentials, facility accreditation, and aftercare plan.

Lastly, don’t give up. Continue advocating for yourself and meet with plastic surgeons who specialize in post-weight loss patients. Many offer free consultations and can guide you through the steps to seek insurance coverage, if applicable.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Kamakshi Zeidler, MD · Answer

You are like many patients who lose a lot of weight and find that loose skin is a limiting factor in completing the weight loss transformation. Many people require surgery to treat this problem. Unfortunately, insurance only covers procedures that are deemed medically necessary, and the only procedure covered after massive weight loss is panniculectomy or removal of the abdominal pannus, which is the loose skin between the belly button and the pubic region. Most insurance companies will only cover a panniculectomy with evidence of skin infection or irritation of the skin in that region from skin being folded on itself, and often times they require surgeons to send in photographs. We as plastic surgeons, can get in a lot of trouble for insurance fraud if we try to game this system. That being said, many of us are dedicated to helping patients like you achieve their results so that you can feel the rewards of your hard efforts of losing weight. There are options for patients to have surgery at lower cost, an you may look into local universities that may have resident clinics. These training programs often allow senior residents to perform the surgeries at a significantly lower cost to you. The surgeries are overseen by very well respected board certified plastic surgeons who specialize in these procedures so you are assured to have good care and excellent results.

Is there any loopholes to get insurance to pay for an upper and lower body lift?

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Is there any loopholes to get insurance to pay for an upper and lower body lift?

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Everything you need to know about Body Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.