Insurance & Skin removal

I had read here a few times that there are some insurance that will pay for the skin removal, I was just wondering if anyone has actually ever had their insurance pay for skin removal and if so where did they approve skin to be removed from?

I have BCBSTX and they will pay for a pannilectomy IF it's medically necessary. That means I have to keep records, with pictures, of any/all rashes, infections, etc. and they also have to be documented by my PCP. I'll also need copies of any prescriptions filled to treat these rashes and infections.

It's funny...or sad....that we spend years doing everything we can to avoid getting these rashes and problems from folds of skin rubbing together and in order to correct the problem that's causing them, we have to intentionally allow the rashes and infections to occur just to prove we need the skin removed! There's just something wrong with that picture!!!

I agree! I think it is ridiculous that it has to come to that for insurance to pay for it. I was told I had to wait for 6 months worth of skin rashes before thyey will pay for it. I had gastric bypass in April of this year and my surgeon wants to do the pannectomy he was hoping in October, but I have to wait! Its stupid!

Like Deedles, my insurance will cover it if rashes or other documented complications occur.

Usually a panniculectomy is ALL insurance will pay for, if anyting, (and that includes ONLY the skin below the belly button... it does nothing for extra skin ABOVE the belly button).  Sometimes poeple are able to get a full tummy tuck covered as well, but that's usually only if there is a hernia that requires repair.

The arms, thighs, upper abdomen, etc. are almost never covered.  (Several of us with lots of extra skin in the arm pits and rash and other issues (e.g., infection after nicking during shaving) have attempted to get at least PART of the brachioplasty covered with no success.

Lora

My insurance (HMO Blue) paid for my panniculectomy without any rashes. I went the extra to have my belly button moved and then all the excess abdominal skin was removed (above and below the belly button). My belly button was sewn back in after the skin was pulled down so I still have it :)

Martha

I have HMO Blue too so that's good to know!

Thanks.

Meg

What do you mean you went to the extra?  Was it an extra cost?  It would suck if they'd take the panni off and have the bellybutton in a weird place and they wouldn't fix it.  The way things are covered i'm a little scared I'll come out like Frankenstein's Monster

a panni removal usually is just removing the extra apron of skin that goes from below the belly button. The "extra" is a full tummy tuck where they actually loosen up the skin above the belly botton and pull that down and reposition the belly button. They also tighten the stomach muscles at the same time.

my CIGNA insurance covers the same... or a total body lift when the hanging skin reaches a certain number of inches that hangs