Plastic Surgery and Insurance

Posted by Lisa Nichols Sep 12, 2007

Almost 11 million plastic surgery procedures were performed in 2006– that’s an increase of 7 percent from 2005, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Which of the top 5 plastic surgery procedures from 2006 (from the ASPS) might be covered by your health insurance?

1. Breast Augmentation (329,000). If you have shoulder grooving (caused by bra strap gouging), neck or shoulder pain, this plastic surgery might be covered by your health insurance.
2. Nose Reshaping (307,000). If you have trouble breathing, your insurance may cover plastic surgery.
3. Liposuction (303,000). There is limited medcal insurance coverage available for lipo. If you have a condition like lipoma (benign fatty tumors beneath the skin), you may have some insurance coverage for liposuction.
4. Eyelid surgery (233,000). If your eyelids droop and impair your vision, you may have some insurance coverage for eyelid surgery.
5. Tummy tuck (146,000). If you have a hernia that will be corrected with a tummy tuck, or had surgery for weight loss, you may have medical insurance coverage for this plastic surgery. Tip: If your health insurance company didn’t cover the weight loss surgery, they probably won’t cover the tummy tuck, either.

Contact your health insurance company to find out if you have coverage before you have any major medical procedure. Definitely. Do. Not. Wait. Until after you have plastic surgery to find out if the surgery is covered by your health insurance.

Cosmetic surgery prices are on the rise. Learn more about the average costs for plastic surgery and alternatives like financing that can make plastic surgery more affordable.

Talk back with a writer- tell Lisa Nichols about your experiences with health insurance coverage and plastic surgery and submit your tips, news and story ideas to the insurance blog.