Question:
Has anyone had insurance to pay for tummy tuck and brachioplasty?
I was just wondering if anyone has had their insurance to pay for a tummy tuck and brachioplasty? Or any other plastic surgery. Any info will be helpful I go see a plastic surgeon next Tuesday. Any questions I should ask her? Has anyone ever asked the plastic surgeon for a discount on their out of pocket expense and got it? thanks. — Carrie W. (posted on April 5, 2004)
April 5, 2004
I was lucky enough to have Personal Choice pay for my tummy tuck and hernia
repair which is scheduled for 5/5/04. One month from today. Good luck
with getting approval. 5/9/03 314/174.5/170
— Ronika D.
April 5, 2004
There are lots of members that have been sucessful in proving medical
necessity in order to get their excess skin removed. I was approved last
fall (tummy tuck only), but had to postpone due to pregnancy. I do not
think that you will be successful in getting a cash discount from a plastic
surgeon, but I guess anything is possible. Plastic surgery has
traditionally been a fee for service type business. It's them taking
insurance that is the new thing. Some don't even bother with ANY insurance
filings at all - all of their business is cash only and in that case the
demand will set price. Good Luck.
<p>
Also, just to throw the option out there, I have researched PS in Brazil.
My ins company only approved the tummy tuck, denied breasts and the dr.
didn't even bother to submit the arms (knew I would be denied). I would
also eventually like toget my thighs done. The prices are pretty good and
the ones in the list include all costs - surgeon, hospital, and gas man.
Something you might want to consider:
<p>
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MedNetBrazil/
— Ali M
April 5, 2004
I've had four plastic surgeries so far and have yet to get insurance to pay
for any of them. I have gotten my surgeries at a discount though. I allowed
a TV crew to film my surgeries and in exchange for the publicity, my
surgeon gave a great deal on the surgeries. I guess you'd have to check
with your surgeon to see if he or she would be willing to do that. You also
have to be sure that you're willing to be on television in a humbling
position. To me it was worth it since it was the only way to have the much
needed plastic surgery. My surgeon pursued me for this so I don't know what
other surgeons are willing to do, but it's worth a shot if insurance wont
pay.
— Traci H.
April 5, 2004
Acordia was my primary provider, and CIGNA PPO was the secondary. They
paid for my panniculectomy and brachioplasty which were done during the
same surgery. My plastic surgeon submitted a letter of medical necessity
requesting "reconstructive surgery" (NOT cosmetic surgery), as
well as frontal and profile photographs. I had always heard that a picture
was worth a thousand words...now I believe it! I have known several people
who were denied coverage for their reconstructive plastic surgery on the
first request, but were subsequently approved after going through the
required appeal process....so don't give up if that happens in your case.
After my WLS, it was the best decision that I ever made. Best wishes!
— Diana T.
July 22, 2004
Amerihealth has paid 100% for all plastic surgerys..I have had a
Pannie...Thigh - lift and just had approval for an arm lift.....I was
almost 387 lbs when I had my RYN in 01/02/02,,,down to 227lbs and had tummy
tuck in 12/05/03...thigh lift (ouch the worst and still draining..house
confined with 35 home health care visits since 3/04/04 and was just
approved for arm lift today...I am putting it off until Oct. since I am
anemic and my hemoglobin level is below 10....Good Luck I am in the South
Jersey area and use Penna. Hospital for all of my care...Dr.Francine Cedron
is my P>S and Dr. Matt Kirkland did my original RYN in 2002....
— irene B.
Click Here to Return