“Can a tummy tuck be covered by insurance?” is one of the first concerns many of our patients ask. Yes and no are the answers to this question. A belly tuck is frequently just a cosmetic treatment, and most insurance policies do not cover it. However, if you are suffering from rashes or skin infections, the operation becomes a medical necessity. In this instance, you might be able to acquire insurance to cover some of the costs of your belly tuck.
You might wonder why only portion of the costs are covered. There are two steps to a tummy tuck. To achieve a smooth contour, the first procedure is strengthening the underlying abdominal muscles. The second phase is eliminating the extra skin and tightening the remaining skin over your midsection. When a procedure is medically necessary, insurance will pay the second portion of the surgery, as eliminating excess skin is vital to avoid rashes and infections.
Can a tummy tuck be medically necessary?
Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that is not always medically essential. BCBSNC does not cover services or procedures that are not medically required.
What qualifies you for a tummy tuck?
Abdominoplasty is the medical word for a belly tuck. This operation addresses and restructures the abdominal muscles, reduces extra fat, and removes excess skin to lift, tighten, and tone the abdomen. The end effect is a stomach that is flat, tightened, and toned, and no longer protrudes forward.
You’ll not only look better, but you’ll feel better as well, and your clothes will fit better. You’ll have more confidence in your stomach’s appearance, which can make a big difference in how you feel about yourself.
How Does It Work?
An abdominoplasty typically takes a few hours to accomplish. The first step is to meet with our surgeon for a consultation. We will discuss the regions you wish to treat, examine those problem areas in person, and confirm that you are a good candidate for the operation during this appointment. We’ll set up your appointment once we’ve confirmed your candidacy.
Our surgeon will follow your treatment plan and take the required steps to assist you achieve your desired outcome during the procedure. Excess fat can be removed using liposuction. Any extra skin will be removed, and the remaining tissue will be pulled taut. You will be able to begin the recuperation process once your operation is completed.
What Kind of Recovery Should I Expect?
Despite what you may believe, it is critical that you get up and walk around during your recovery period in order to aid your body’s healing and return to a normal daily routine. For the first ten days after surgery, we encourage patients to avoid physical exercise. For the first six weeks after surgery, you should avoid all forms of hard lifting and intense activities.
Once your operation is completed, you will be given a detailed list of recovery instructions so that you know exactly what you need to do to help your body heal. Following your operation, you will be given a compression garment to assist you maintain comfort and adhere to the new shapes generated during your procedure.
When Will I See My Results?
Because you will be starting the healing process, it may be difficult to see instant results in the first few days after surgery, but your outcomes will be dramatic and apparent. The majority of patients see the most noticeable improvements two to three weeks after surgery, and those results will continue to improve for up to six months after surgery.
Am I a Candidate?
Those who have loose skin, extra fat, or are unsatisfied with the appearance of their abdomen are the greatest candidates for abdominoplasty. This operation can correct slack or sagging skin in the abdomen caused by heredity, pregnancy, weight reduction, previous surgery, or the aging process.
The ideal candidate will have reasonable expectations regarding the procedure’s capabilities and limitations. It is neither a substitute for a healthy lifestyle nor a means of weight loss. To avoid gaining weight and further stretching out the skin, those who have this operation must avoid substantial weight swings, keep a nutritious diet, and stick to a steady training schedule.
Does insurance pay for tummy tuck after C section?
Pregnancy, weight increase, weight loss, and age can cause changes in the abdomen. The following are some of the most common causes for getting a stomach tuck (abdominoplasty) or mini-tummy tuck:
Will insurance cover tummy tucks?
Insurance normally does not cover a stomach tuck, but it may cover a panniculectomy (removal of an overhanging “apron” of lower abdominal skin) if you meet specific insurance plan conditions. Please consult the panniculectomy page for further information on insurance coverage.
How do I get insurance to cover a Panniculectomy?
The pannus extra skin and tissue from the lower belly is removed during a panniculectomy. An “apron” is a term used to describe the superfluous skin.
The panniculectomy, unlike a tummy tuck, does not tighten the abdominal muscles for a more attractive appearance, making it ineligible as a cosmetic procedure. Getting rid of the excess fat, on the other hand, can make your stomach look slimmer. The panniculectomy can be combined with other abdominal operations such as a stomach tuck.
Surgical charges for this operation can range from $8,000 to $15,000, including anesthesia, surgeon, and facility fees. Because the panniculectomy is not normally considered aesthetic surgery, your insurance provider may be willing to help you pay for it. However, you must meet certain requirements and the panniculectomy must be considered a medical necessity. To discuss your payment alternatives, contact your health insurance provider.
How do you qualify for a Panniculectomy?
What kind of people are ideal candidates for a panniculectomy?
- You experience rashes or infections underneath the hanging fold of skin that are reoccurring or persistent.
Will insurance pay for tummy tuck if you have a hernia?
The cost of any medical procedure is usually at the top of the list of considerations. Is this anything that insurance will cover? The good news is that an Umbilical Hernia Repair is frequently considered a medically required surgery by insurance. Because it is considered an aesthetic or cosmetic operation, it must be paid for out of pocket if done in conjunction with a Tummy Tuck.
While a Tummy Tuck tries to remove extra skin and reattach the abdominal muscles to the abdominal wall, a hernia repair frequently involves the first part of a Tummy Tuck surgery, where the muscles are brought together.
You may need to find both a general and a plastic surgeon to conduct both treatments at the same time.
It’s also crucial that you tell your insurance provider exactly what you’re doing so that you know what they’ll cover and what they won’t.
Your surgeon may or may not advise you to have both surgeries done at the same time. There is a higher chance of the umbilical stalk losing blood supply, and the hernia may not be in the optimum location for an abdominoplasty.
As with any medical operation, it’s critical to understand the expenses and what your insurance will and won’t cover.
Dr. Hovsepian will do everything he can to assist you in this process. He will also go over any potential dangers and side effects of the treatment with you to ensure that you are confident in your decision to get plastic surgery.
To speak with Dr. Hovsepian personally, call our office now and book a consultation.
Does insurance cover tummy tuck surgery?
- After decreasing weight, panniculectomies and tummy tucks are done to remove extra skin around the lower stomach.
- A panniculectomy is considered a medical need after a large amount of weight loss, but a stomach tuck is a cosmetic treatment.
Safety
- Pain and numbness are common side effects of both surgeries. Scarring is also a possibility, though it will fade over several months.
- Infection, severe pain and numbness, and bleeding are all rare consequences.
Convenience
- Both treatments are invasive surgeries that necessitate extensive planning and post-operative care.
- Finding a board-certified surgeon with substantial experience in each treatment is critical.
Cost
- A panniculectomy is more expensive than a stomach tuck, although medical insurance generally covers treatment. The price tag can range from $8,000 to $15,000, without including anesthesia and other fees.
- The cost of a belly tuck is less, but it is not covered by insurance. The average cost of this elective treatment is $6,200.
Efficacy
- Tummy tucks and panniculectomies have equal success rates. The objective is to decrease weight prior to surgery, as weight maintenance is critical to the success of your treatment.
Who is not a good candidate for a tummy tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery can help some patients achieve a flatter, tighter abdominal profile, but it is not for everyone. To find out if you’re a good candidate for a belly tuck, first read the information below, then arrange a consultation with Dr. Bohley of cosmetic surgery Portland to see if a tummy tuck or another plastic surgery operation is correct for you.
You should be in good general health yet have extra skin (that has lost its elasticity) throughout your abdominal area to be a good candidate for a tummy tuck. You can possibly have stomach muscles that are badly weakened or divided. After stomach tuck surgery, you should be at a steady weight that you believe you can maintain. You must not smoke or be willing to quit for several weeks before and after surgery.
Finally, you should have realistic expectations for belly tuck surgery results. Tummy tuck surgery, for example, will give you a firmer abdominal profile but will also leave a horizontal scar that runs from hip bone to hip bone. You may benefit from stomach tuck surgery if you are willing to have a scar that can be hidden beneath your underwear or bathing suit line in exchange for the look of a six pack.
You are not a good candidate for a tummy tuck if you haven’t finished having children and plan to have more, or if you are presently pregnant. You will not be a good candidate for a belly tuck if you are obese. Also, if you are a smoker who is unwilling to quit, a stomach tuck may not be right for you. Finally, if you have good skin elasticity and want to sculpt your stomach or other portions of your body, liposuction may be a better option than a tummy tuck.
What is the best age for a tummy tuck?
When it comes to addressing your waistline with a tummy tuck, age is a consideration, but other key factors take precedence when deciding when this treatment is right for you. Women in their late 30s, early 40s, and beyond are the majority of those who opt for this surgery. When it comes to your age, however, any age is the perfect age as long as you are devoted to keeping your results, don’t plan on getting pregnant again, and are in good health.
You Are Done Having Children
You are the perfect age for a stomach tuck if you are of reproductive age but do not want to have any more children. Pregnancies after the surgery can destroy your outcomes. Excess skin develops during pregnancy, and this operation seeks to tighten the waist by removing excess skin and fat. An second pregnancy following this procedure will wreak havoc on the outcomes, necessitating extra treatment to restore them.
You Are Middle-Aged or Beyond and Want to Address Loose Skin
You are the perfect age for a stomach tuck if genetics, several pregnancies, or major weight reduction have resulted in loose skin in your abdomen that makes you feel self-conscious about your appearance. This technique can make your current midsection resemble your midsection from 20 years ago. It will eliminate excess skin and fat while tightening the entire area, allowing you to feel more confident in a swimsuit regardless of your age.
You Are in Your 20s or 30s and Want a Tighter Midsection
You don’t have to be in your forties or fifties to undergo this operation. In their 20s or 30s, some patients choose to have a stomach tuck to restore the appearance of their abdomen that has been harmed by genetic causes or major weight loss. If you opt to have this treatment and then become pregnant later in life, your results will be harmed.
When it comes down to it, age plays no role in choosing who is the best candidate for this treatment. Other considerations to consider are your lifestyle, present health, and long-term objectives. We’ll decide if you’re a good candidate for this surgery during your initial appointment.
Is tummy tuck as painful as C-section?
If you’ve ever had children, you know that a C-section (also known as a cesarean section) isn’t easy, especially when it comes to recovery. A C-section occurs when a baby is delivered through an abdominal incision that crosses the abdominal muscles. Many moms who want to get rid of their post-pregnancy bellies are apprehensive that a tummy tuck will be akin to a C-section in terms of pain and recovery because this incision is identical to a tummy tuck incision.
Whether you’re considering a Mommy Makeover package or just a stomach tuck, you’ll be happy to learn that the pain associated with this cosmetic treatment is significantly less than that associated with a C-section.