It’s no secret that cosmetic surgery is not a low cost option. Often, the surgery is an innovative procedure that capitalizes on the latest medical technology to improve a patient’s appearance over time, and treatments can become expensive for those with limited financial resources.
It’s the reason that many are now trying to find out whether their current insurance plan will cover their cosmetic surgery options.
This article will help outline which surgeries are likely covered by insurance and which will have to be paid out-of-pocket.
Surgeries to Correct Functional Issues May be Covered
Insurance companies will often cover your surgery when the treatment is required to correct a functional issue. For example, a rhinoplasty might be covered by your insurance plan if it’s to correct breathing issues due to a deviated septum.
Additionally, any surgeries to correct a long standing health issue might be covered under your insurance policy, like eyelid surgery that corrects dropping eyelids effecting a person’s vision. If a surgery is elective and only required for cosmetic reasons, the insurance company likely won’t cover the cost of the procedure.
The following are further examples of surgeries that are often covered by insurance:
- Weight Loss Surgery
Extreme weight loss surgery, such as gastric bypasses, are often covered by insurance companies. That’s because significant weight can have an impact on a person’s health over time.
If an insurance company judges your weight to be a serious health issue, they may cover the cost of any weight loss surgery. One important element to consider, however, is that secondary procedures, such as the removal of excess skin after the weight loss surgery, might not be covered as part of your insurance plan. This means you’ll have to craft a treatment strategy carefully alongside a specialist before any decisions are made.
Although procedures like CoolSculpting are great ways to reshape your body without the invasiveness of weight loss surgeries, they’re not procedures that will affect your weight or health and likely won’t be covered by insurance.
- Botox
While most people see Botox as a way to turn back the clock, there are many medical uses for it that are often covered by insurance. Helping heal chronic headache pain, prevent excessive sweating and even helping control bladder issues can all be done with Botox and are all usually covered by insurance.
By closely reviewing your future health requirements and analyzing your insurance policies, you can determine which treatments are covered and which will have to be paid at your expense. Your local specialist can help you determine which treatment is right for you, by balancing both coverage levels and all medical and cosmetic requirements.
