When is Tummy Tuck Medically Neccessary?

Hi Kwrightbigk, Hello, Thank you for your questions about when is tummy tuck "medically necessary".  This is a very common question. First of all, we need to define four key terms. 1) Panniculectomy: this is a plastic surgery procedure in which the apron of skin hanging over the pubic region is removed. During a panniculectomy procedure, the rectus abdominis muscles are not sutured and the belly button is not repositioned. 2) Tummy tuck: during the tummy tuck procedure, excess abdominal skin and fat from the  pubic region to the belly button are removed. The rectus abdominis muscles are sutured together. The belly button is repositioned.  3) Cosmetic or aesthetic plastic surgery procedures: this a procedure that takes a "normal" patient and makes them "super normal" or "more augmented".  A cosmetic plastic surgery procedure would include elective breast augmentation.  4) Reconstructive plastic surgery procedures: these plastic surgery procedures take an "abnormal" patients and make them more "normal". Typical reconstructive plastic surgery procedures would include cleft lip, cleft palate, and burn surgery.   Insurance coverage for any plastic surgery procedure varies by individual and insurance plan.  Sometimes medical insurance plans cover panniculectomies.  If the patient has severe rashes which have failed treatment with creams and lotions.  In addition, a panniculectomy  may be covered by insurance if a patient has severe, low back pain.  Insurance plans view a panniculectomy as a reconstructive plastic surgery procedure because it is taking an "abnormal" patient and making them more "normal".  It is rare, if ever, that medical insurance plans cover a tummy tuck.  Usually, tummy tucks are viewed by insurance plans as being a cosmetic procedure.  Sometimes if the patient has severe separation of the rectus abdominis muscles resulting in rectus diastasis, ventral hernia, and excess abdominal skin and fat, the tummy tuck procedure may be covered by insurance. However, insurance plans would view this scenario as reconstructive plastic surgery procedure more than a cosmetic procedure. Again, medical insurance plans do not cover cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. I hope that I have answered your questions regarding panniculectomies, tummy tucks, cosmetic medical insurance coverage, and reconstructive medical insurance coverage.     If you have any more questions regarding medical insurance coverage for a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, please contact my office.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. 

A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a purely cosmetic procedure - nobody "needs" a tummy tuck.  This surgery removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen, tightens up the rectus muscles and often involves some liposuction - I always liposuction the flanks for a better overall result.  You might be thinking of a panniculectomy which can sometimes be covered by some insurances.  This surgery only addresses the excess skin - skin that hangs below the pubis.  In some people this skin can be heavy and cause back pain, it can cause irritation and chronic rashes in the fold and can cause a considerable amount of distress.  Despite this, in my experience it can be very challenging to get insurance companies to authorize a panniculectomy.  Hope this helps!Sincerely,Dr. Michelle Spring

Thank you for your question. Tummy tucks are rarely covered by insurance.  Occasionally, a smaller component of a tummy tuck can be covered.  This is referred to as a panniculectomy, and the procedure removes some of the excess skin fold on the lower abdomen.  For this to be covered, there has to be medical necessity such as documented skin infections with multiple attempts at medical interventions.However, it is not uncommon for patients with medical necessity to still have a tummy tuck because they are concerned about the aesthetics of the final result.  I would visit with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can review your different options with you in more detail.