I am 21 years old, two years ago I had a fine needle aspiration on my right breast. Throughout the two years I have noticed that my right breast has gotten drastically smaller. Now my breasts are very noticeably uneven. My left breast is about a full c and my left is almost a full a. I am looking to get implants to make my breasts at least somewhat even. What are the chances it will get covered by insurance?
Answer: Breast asymmetry options and insurance coverage Thank you for your question. Breast asymmetry is very common, particularly size asymmetry. If you are looking to decrease the asymmetry from one breast to another, then you have several options: 1) You can reduce the larger breast with liposuction or a traditional breast reduction technique 2) You can enlarge the smaller one with fat grafting or an implant 3) You can enlarge both but use different size implants 4) A lift procedure may also be needed to help address differences in shape, nipple position and areolar size. Insurance coverage for asymmetry coverage may be challenging as insurance companies don't usually cover implants unless it is for cancer reconstruction. They may cover breast reduction of the larger size if there are specific medical concerns like back pain, neck pain, etc... They will require extensive documentation and it may still not be covered. I would visit with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options in more detail.
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Answer: Breast asymmetry options and insurance coverage Thank you for your question. Breast asymmetry is very common, particularly size asymmetry. If you are looking to decrease the asymmetry from one breast to another, then you have several options: 1) You can reduce the larger breast with liposuction or a traditional breast reduction technique 2) You can enlarge the smaller one with fat grafting or an implant 3) You can enlarge both but use different size implants 4) A lift procedure may also be needed to help address differences in shape, nipple position and areolar size. Insurance coverage for asymmetry coverage may be challenging as insurance companies don't usually cover implants unless it is for cancer reconstruction. They may cover breast reduction of the larger size if there are specific medical concerns like back pain, neck pain, etc... They will require extensive documentation and it may still not be covered. I would visit with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options in more detail.
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September 18, 2015
Answer: Prior Authorization Necessary- And Commonly Unsuccessful Breast asymmetry is an extremely common problem amongst women.In most cases, this is relatively minor and women aren’t bothered by it.Occasionally, it can be severe and treatment is necessary.A multitude of options can be used to treat this problem.These may include breast reduction, breast lift, breast augmentation, or various combinations of these procedures.Unfortunately, most insurance companies only cover the expense of treating breast asymmetry when it’s associated with breast cancer.They view this type of procedure as purely cosmetic.Rarely, insurance carriers will cover the expense of these procedures when they’re associated with functional impairment.This usually requires going through the prior authorization process to establish medical necessity.This is usually always unsuccessful.If you’re considering correction of breast asymmetry, it’s important that you meet with a Board-certified plastic surgeon that can discuss your aesthetic goals in greater detail and determine which option is best for you.When this approach is taken, the results of surgical intervention are usually excellent and levels of patient satisfaction are extremely high.
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September 18, 2015
Answer: Prior Authorization Necessary- And Commonly Unsuccessful Breast asymmetry is an extremely common problem amongst women.In most cases, this is relatively minor and women aren’t bothered by it.Occasionally, it can be severe and treatment is necessary.A multitude of options can be used to treat this problem.These may include breast reduction, breast lift, breast augmentation, or various combinations of these procedures.Unfortunately, most insurance companies only cover the expense of treating breast asymmetry when it’s associated with breast cancer.They view this type of procedure as purely cosmetic.Rarely, insurance carriers will cover the expense of these procedures when they’re associated with functional impairment.This usually requires going through the prior authorization process to establish medical necessity.This is usually always unsuccessful.If you’re considering correction of breast asymmetry, it’s important that you meet with a Board-certified plastic surgeon that can discuss your aesthetic goals in greater detail and determine which option is best for you.When this approach is taken, the results of surgical intervention are usually excellent and levels of patient satisfaction are extremely high.
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January 12, 2016
Answer: Uneven breasts - will isurance cover implants? Hello! Thank you for your question! Surgical procedures for aesthetic purposes, to improve appearance, are not covered by insurance. Typically, these as well as complications resulting from such procedures are the responsibility of the patient. Procedures that are meant to correct functional issues and those which cause health-related issues should be covered by your insurance as a medical necessity, with proper examination and documentation. Some insurance plans have exclusion criteria for certain procedures. Also, it is an obligation of the surgeon not to attempt to authorize purely cosmetic procedures through insurance. Insurance will not cover for this reason. Discuss your issues and complaints with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss these as well as to examine and assist you in deciding which procedure(s) will be the best for you. Certainly, pay in advance prior to your surgical procedure and options such as financing are available if you qualify. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!
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January 12, 2016
Answer: Uneven breasts - will isurance cover implants? Hello! Thank you for your question! Surgical procedures for aesthetic purposes, to improve appearance, are not covered by insurance. Typically, these as well as complications resulting from such procedures are the responsibility of the patient. Procedures that are meant to correct functional issues and those which cause health-related issues should be covered by your insurance as a medical necessity, with proper examination and documentation. Some insurance plans have exclusion criteria for certain procedures. Also, it is an obligation of the surgeon not to attempt to authorize purely cosmetic procedures through insurance. Insurance will not cover for this reason. Discuss your issues and complaints with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss these as well as to examine and assist you in deciding which procedure(s) will be the best for you. Certainly, pay in advance prior to your surgical procedure and options such as financing are available if you qualify. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!
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March 3, 2011
Answer: Insurance coverage for breast implants- good luck with that
Althought the breast assymetry you describe is concern to you, and is temporally related to the FNA that you had done- I doubt an insurance company would pay for breast implants to address what is a purely cosmetic issue. Insurance companies do not cover cosmetic procedures. Breast augmentation can be done to address the assymetry that you do have, but plan to pay out-of-pocket for it.
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March 3, 2011
Answer: Insurance coverage for breast implants- good luck with that
Althought the breast assymetry you describe is concern to you, and is temporally related to the FNA that you had done- I doubt an insurance company would pay for breast implants to address what is a purely cosmetic issue. Insurance companies do not cover cosmetic procedures. Breast augmentation can be done to address the assymetry that you do have, but plan to pay out-of-pocket for it.
Helpful
July 17, 2013
Answer: Assymetry and Insurance coverage
By law, insurance companies must pay for implants used in breast reconstruction associated with cancer. In fact, before 1998 even breast cancer reconstruction was not universally covered because insurance executives did not think that having breasts were "medically necessary" . It took a law to make that happen. Everything else will be considered cosmetic including asymmetry not related to cancer and thus not be covered. Every insurance is different with the exception that they profit by not paying for health care services. There is a perverse incentive to collect premiums from consumers and not pay for care. You have to be your strongest advocate for your health. As a consumer, call your insurance company and make your case. I bet you doctor will arm you with all the medical documentation.
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July 17, 2013
Answer: Assymetry and Insurance coverage
By law, insurance companies must pay for implants used in breast reconstruction associated with cancer. In fact, before 1998 even breast cancer reconstruction was not universally covered because insurance executives did not think that having breasts were "medically necessary" . It took a law to make that happen. Everything else will be considered cosmetic including asymmetry not related to cancer and thus not be covered. Every insurance is different with the exception that they profit by not paying for health care services. There is a perverse incentive to collect premiums from consumers and not pay for care. You have to be your strongest advocate for your health. As a consumer, call your insurance company and make your case. I bet you doctor will arm you with all the medical documentation.
Helpful