Question:
Does insurance ever pay for having your batwings removed?

I was just wondering if insurance ever pays for having your upper arms done. If so, what criteria must be met. My arthritis my shoulders seems to be getting worse and I wonder if it because of all the weight from my arms pulling on them.    — Brenda V. (posted on November 1, 2002)

November 1, 2002
Both my primary and secondary insurance providers paid for my panniculectomy and brachioplasty. I think that it depends on the provider, as well as pictures and appropriate documentation from the plastic surgeon which support the necessity of the surgery as reconstructive and medically necessary as opposed to "cosmetic". Any co-morbidities that you can relate to the excess skin/fat/weight of the arms will only help your case....arthritis, limitied range of motion, inability to participate fully in a physician-prescribed exercise regimen, infections or irritation in the skin folds, etc... Best wishes!
   — Diana T.