Does insurance pay for earlobe surgery?

Earlobe repair is a common procedure in our plastic surgery office. I employ a technique that involves removing the excess scar tissue and reapproximating the tissue planes in multiple layers to recontour the earlobe after gauges, torn earlobes, or stretched out earlobes. Sometimes, the same procedure is used to restore contour to a pixie ear after facelift surgery or facial surgery. Gauge correction is a popular treatment. Insurance typically does not cover the procedure in California, but it all depends on your insurance policy. Costs are typically between six hundred dollars and one thousand dollars depending on the complexity of the repair. Pixie ear repair involves correction of the facelift flap and is a more complex procedure that requires anesthesia. Aftercare for earlobe repair involves proper wound care, Plato’s Scar Serum at least twice daily, with repiercing of the earlobe if requested, in 6 weeks. It is best to have a plastic surgeon perform the procedure and help with scars in the post-procedure period. Plato’s Scar Serum, wound care, and Neosporin are used.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian

Earlobe repair is a very common procedure. Frequently, we have patients who will have the procedure done the same day as the consultation. Typically, the cost is between $450-850 per earlobe, depending on the severity and the length of the procedure.You may be able to find a doctor who will do this under insurance but i am not aware of any.The length of time the ears have been gauged should have no effect on the procedure. As long as the tissue is no longer irritated or inflamed, there is no reason not to give it a try. Gauged ears are sometimes more difficult than some other earlobe repairs since the tissue is so over stretched, but we are still able to create a natural looking earlobe. You can get your ear re pierced about 6 weeks after and should be included in the pricing. Shop around in your area and see if you can find a plastic surgeon in your budget. Insurance typically wont cover this. Normally insurance does not cover this procedure being it is cosmetic. 

Health insurance companies often do not cover costs of surgery when repairing a problem that is related to pierced or gauged earlobes.  If acute injury produces a laceration that likely would be covered. When surgery is performed in an office setting using local anesthesia, costs are much lower compared to surgery in a hospital or surgery center. We recommend the office setting.

It would be rare for an insurance company to cover repair of a split your low unless it had just happened and the edges are still raw, for example of one's hearing got pulled through after getting caught on clothing. However, if it is a split your low, one usually pays out of pocket. The cost for many surgeons is only several hundred dollars as this is a relatively small procedure and can be performed under local anesthesia in one's office.

Thank you for sharing your question.  If surgery is to repair either torn or gaged earlobes it is considered an aesthetic procedure and not covered by insurance.  See an ASPS board certified plastic surgeon in consultation, they can offer you the best advice based on your needs.  Hope this helps.

Thank you for your question. Generally speaking, ear lobe repair is considered a cosmetic or elective procedure - which is not covered by insurance. However, it is remotely possible if your tear is due to an injury of some kind, your insurance might consider covering it. 

Cheryl: Unfortunately most insurances will not cover repair of elongated piercings or torn earlobes.  If you go to an emergency room right after a tear, sometimes it can be treated as a laceration and insurance will cover it.  Usually it can be done in the office relatively inexpensively ($300-500 per ear).  

Thank you for the question. Earlobe surgery is a frequently requested procedure,  associated with a very high patient satisfaction rate.  In my experience, insurance companies do not help when it comes to covering costs of the procedure.  Best to seek consultation with board-certified plastic surgeons who can demonstrate lots of experience achieving the types of outcomes you would be pleased with. Best wishes.

Treatment of prominaura (large ears) or other developmental abnormalities that may reasonably distress the patient are covered procedures.  Correction of prominaura (prominent ears) is usually addressed in childhood -- ideally before 6-years of age.  It requires referral from a pediatrician and is covered by CMS -- which generally means private insurers have to provide the same benefit.
I do not have any experience in dealing with insurance companies and prominaura in adulthood -- although deformities of the ear following injury, cancer treatments,  and symptomatic keloids are covered benefits.  
I hope this answer is useful.

If it was torn in a trauma (accident or ripped when a child or clothes pulled a earring for example), it could be repaired in an emergency room and possibly covered, but it is typically considered a cosmetic procedure and not a covered one.  Best wishesGarrett Wirth, MD, MS, FACS