Will health insurance pay for liposuction?
In most cases, liposuction is not covered by health insurance because it's an elective procedure. If you qualify for medically necessary tumescent liposuction to help fix problems associated with breast size, your insurance company may reimburse the cost.
Free Health Insurance Comparison
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Ty Stewart
Licensed Insurance Agent
Ty Stewart is the founder and CEO of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about life insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as a life insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications. As an independent licensed life insurance agent, he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jan 30, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance providers please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jan 30, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance providers please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Most insurance companies will not cover liposuction because it is cosmetic surgery
- In some cases, doctors might perform tumescent liposuction during a breast reduction procedure
- Breast reduction might be covered by health insurance if breast size is causing physical problems
- Insurance companies might cover other weight loss surgeries if candidates
Most health insurance companies will not cover liposuction because it is considered an elective procedure. Since, liposuction is not covered by insurance, you can choose to pay for the surgery in cash. The cost might be different at each surgery center depending on the location of the procedure and the provider performing it.
If you are only receiving treatment for one area, it will be less expensive than surgery on multiple areas. Some surgeons will charge one fee for everything involved leading up to the surgery, including anesthesia, while other surgery clinics will charge individual fees. The cost for one area can range in price from $2,000 to $8,000.
If you decide to get elective liposuction, do not select your surgeon based solely on the price. It is important to choose a surgeon because you trust their skill. If the procedure is considered medically necessary for you, like in the case of breast reduction, your insurance will cover liposuction. Check with your insurance plan to find out exactly if liposuction is covered by insurance and what is covered.
When seeing whether a medical condition is covered by your health insurance plan, it’s a good idea to also compare free health insurance quotes online. Not only can you potentially discover great coverage through a new provider, but you could also save thousands of dollars a year with a more affordable plan.
Is breast reduction surgery covered by health insurance?
Some women experience back pain due to their large breast size. Insurance companies will often cover breast reduction surgery if it is medically necessary to alleviate this pain. Breast augmentation surgery may be accomplished using a tumescent liposuction procedure. In this case, your insurance company might reimburse you for the liposuction fees. Since the average cost of liposuction can be pretty expensive, this would be a great advantage for someone who is struggling with daily pain.
Certain insurance companies may impose restrictions on when and where you can get the surgery if they choose to pay for it. You might need to get the surgery pre-approved. Call your insurance company and ask if prior authorization is necessary for breast reduction surgery. These guidelines are so that people don’t abuse the process, or go through someone with a dangerous reputation.
If you do not get the required approval, there is a good chance your insurance company will not pay for it. Additionally, some insurance companies might require you to use a surgeon within your network.
Compare Insurance Providers Rates to Save Up to 75%
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Does Medicare cover other weight-loss surgeries?
Although Medicare does not cover liposuction, it does cover other types of weight-loss surgeries. Medicare will cover gastric bypass, lap band, or a duodenal switch if you meet certain requirements. Some Medicare plans also cover sleeve gastrectomies.
In order to qualify for weight-loss surgery coverage, you must have a body mass index over 35 and provide documentation or evidence that you have been at that weight for five years or more. You also must have another medical issue, such as hypertension or Type II diabetes, because of your weight.
Additionally, you must prove that you have tried more than one alternate weight loss program and been unsuccessful. Your primary care physician must also approve of and recommend the surgery, as well as provide evidence that your obesity is not a direct result of a medical disorder.
Read more: Top Health Insurance Provider for Overweight Applicants
Does Medicaid cover other weight-loss surgeries?
Medicaid also covers weight loss surgeries for those who meet the right criteria. The requirements are similar to the ones set forth by Medicare.
Medicaid has slightly stricter regulations for those who are younger than 21. Your body mass index must be 40 or over, as opposed to the standard 35. Additionally, surgery will not be performed at all on females under the age of 13 and males under the age of 15.
Patients must understand that they must change their diet and exercise routine and nutritional counseling must be available before and after the surgery.
If you have been diagnosed with malignant cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, have used steroids for an extended period of time, or you require psychological counseling that might affect your ability to change your lifestyle, it is unlikely that Medicaid will cover your weight loss surgery. (For more information, read our “How Life Insurance Impacts Medicaid Eligibility“).
Will my private insurance cover other types of weight loss surgeries?
Many private insurance companies cover weight loss surgeries as well. For example, United Healthcare will cover several types of surgery including Vertical banded gastroplasty and Biliopancreatic bypass in addition to gastric bypass and lap band surgery. If your body mass index is over 40, United Healthcare does not require an additional diagnosis in order to qualify for surgery coverage. At that point, there are various health issues that could cause lasting conditions, including high blood pressure, that need to be taken into consideration, so they’ll want to offer semi-quick care to ensure someone is in better health.
Compare Insurance Providers Rates to Save Up to 75%
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Is liposuction ever covered by health insurance?
Are you still wondering: “Does insurance cover liposuction?”
In most cases, health insurance will not cover cosmetic procedures because they are elective procedures. If you qualify for medically necessary tumescent liposuction to help fix problems associated with breast size, your insurance company may reimburse the cost. Many insurance companies are willing to pay for weight loss surgeries, such as lap band and gastric bypass, if you meet the criteria.
Many insurance companies are willing to pay for a surgical procedure such as lap band and gastric bypass, by an approved plastic surgeon, if you meet the criteria.
Taking your health seriously should be a top priority. Even if you feel as though you’re overwhelmed with options, you can always breathe a little easier knowing that these options exist for your benefit. Without them, it would be difficult to help a larger range of people, so this way, there are more people out there who can care for themselves. Even better news is that most of the hard work – finding the best fit for whatever medical procedure it is that you need – can be achieved through the comfort of your own home.
With free quotes, you can compare various levels of healthcare coverage and get in touch with live representatives that can help you find a plan that covers your needs without breaking the bank.
Case Studies: Health Insurance Coverage for Liposuction
Case Study 1: John’s Battle with Obesity
John, a 45-year-old struggling with obesity, sought help for his condition. Despite attempting different weight loss methods, he achieved limited success. To address his health concerns, John consulted his doctor, who suggested liposuction as a potential solution. John’s health insurance plan did not cover liposuction as it was considered cosmetic, leading him to seek alternative financing options for the procedure.
Case Study 2: Sarah’s Medical Necessity
Sarah, a 32-year-old woman, had been experiencing chronic back pain due to excess fat deposits in her lower back and abdomen. Her doctor determined that liposuction could alleviate the pain by reducing the strain on her back muscles. Recognizing the medical necessity, Sarah’s health insurance company covered the cost of her liposuction procedure.
However, it is important to note that each case is evaluated on an individual basis, and coverage decisions may vary depending on the insurance provider and policy terms.
Case Study 3: Emma’s Weight Loss Journey
Emma, a 28-year-old individual, had successfully lost a significant amount of weight through diet and exercise. However, she was left with stubborn pockets of fat in certain areas of her body that were resistant to further weight loss efforts. Emma’s doctor recommended liposuction as a way to achieve the desired body contouring.
Unfortunately, Emma’s health insurance plan explicitly excluded coverage for liposuction, considering it solely a cosmetic procedure. As a result, Emma had to personally bear the expenses of her liposuction surgery.
Case Study 4: Mark’s Exceptional Circumstances
Mark, a 55-year-old man who had gastric bypass surgery, experienced excess skin and stubborn fat deposits. Despite significant weight loss, these issues affected his well-being. Luckily, Mark’s health insurance plan recognized the unique circumstances of his post-bariatric surgery needs and agreed to cover a portion of the liposuction procedure as part of a comprehensive body contouring surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will health insurance cover the cost of liposuction?
In most cases, health insurance does not cover the cost of liposuction. Liposuction is considered a cosmetic procedure, primarily performed to improve body contour rather than for medical reasons. Insurance typically only covers procedures that are deemed medically necessary for the treatment of specific health conditions.
Are there any situations where health insurance may cover liposuction?
While rare, there are a few situations where health insurance may provide coverage for liposuction. These situations generally involve instances where liposuction is considered medically necessary to treat a condition or when it is performed as part of a reconstructive surgery following a significant trauma or weight loss surgery. Examples may include removing lipomas benign fatty tumors causing pain or impairing bodily function, treating lipodystrophy an abnormal fat distribution disorder, or addressing certain cases of excessive gynecomastia enlarged male breasts.
What alternatives can I consider if health insurance does not cover liposuction?
If health insurance does not cover liposuction, you may explore other options to finance the procedure. Some common alternatives include:
- Financing plans: Many cosmetic surgeons offer financing options that allow you to pay for the procedure over time, usually with a combination of down payment and monthly installments.
- Medical credit cards: There are specific credit cards designed for medical expenses, such as cosmetic procedures. These cards often offer promotional financing options with low or no interest rates for a certain period.
- Personal loans: You can consider applying for a personal loan from a bank or a reputable online lender to cover the cost of liposuction. Keep in mind that interest rates and repayment terms may vary.
How can I determine if my health insurance covers liposuction?
To determine if your health insurance covers liposuction, it is best to contact your insurance provider directly. Review your policy documents or call the customer service helpline to inquire about coverage details and any specific requirements or criteria that need to be met.
What documentation or evidence might be required to prove medical necessity for liposuction?
If liposuction is potentially eligible for coverage based on medical necessity, your insurance provider may require supporting documentation. This may include medical records, test results, photographs, and a statement from your healthcare provider explaining the medical reasons for the procedure.
Compare Insurance Providers Rates to Save Up to 75%
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Ty Stewart
Licensed Insurance Agent
Ty Stewart is the founder and CEO of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about life insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as a life insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications. As an independent licensed life insurance agent, he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.