“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.
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.
How is a tummy tuck medically necessary?
Abdominoplasty, without a doubt, provides numerous cosmetic benefits. In reality, a belly tuck can provide medical benefits, especially when it becomes a required corrective surgical operation for individuals suffering from the following conditions:
- To fix a ventral hernia: A ventral hernia occurs when your intestine or abdominal tissue protrudes through your abdominal wall, forming a pouch or sack. This hernia can form for a variety of reasons, including abdominal weakness caused by rapid weight loss, an appendectomy, or a cesarean section. A belly tuck can repair a ventral hernia by addressing weaker abdominal muscles and relieving pressure on your skin, much way it can flatten your stomach.
- To relieve stress urinary incontinence: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a bladder control problem that occurs when your bladder and urethra are under too much pressure. SUI is defined as uncontrollable leakage caused by sudden and powerful activities including sneezing, coughing, laughing, or exercising. Although the condition is usually treated without surgery, research have indicated that a belly tuck may benefit SUI sufferers. The issue is most frequent in women, particularly after a normal birth, although it can also affect men.
- Abdominoplasty can also be used to alleviate back pain, which is a prevalent complaint. Women may experience back pain as a result of weakened stomach muscles after giving birth or losing a considerable amount of weight. A tummy tuck tightens weaker muscles by flattening the abdomen and removing excess stomach fat, resulting in much-needed abdominal support that can ease back pain.
- To enhance posture: Better posture is a result of stronger abdominal muscles and less back pain. Due to the tightened muscles that provide additional support to your spine after a stomach tuck treatment, you may notice an improvement in your posture.
How much does it cost for a tummy tuck?
What is the price of a belly tuck? The overall cost of an abdominoplasty is estimated to be between $15,000 and $20,000 (including hospital, anesthesiologist, and surgeon’s expenses). Body lifting can cost anywhere between $26,000 and $29,500.
How much should I save for a tummy tuck?
An abdominoplasty, often known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical operation that permanently eliminates extra fat and skin while also strengthening weakening abdominal muscles, resulting in a smoother and firmer stomach area. Tummy tucks were among the top five surgical cosmetic operations performed in 2018, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, with 130,000 surgeries reported1. Breast augmentations, liposuction, nose reshaping (rhinoplasty), and eyelid surgery rounded out the top five (blepharoplasty). Because a tummy tuck is a surgical treatment, it is usually done in a surgical center or hospital under anesthesia. Patients should expect a recovery that may require the use of compression garments, pain medication, and assistance with daily activities, particularly in the days after surgery. Swelling and bruising are typical, and the effects grow more noticeable with time. We’ll look at how much a belly tuck costs, if it’s covered by insurance, and how tummy tuck financing can assist.
How much is a tummy tuck?
The national average cost of a stomach tuck is $6,2531, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, however costs vary depending on factors such as the individual’s surgical needs, surgical fees, anesthesia, and cosmetic surgery center or hospital charges.
Is a tummy tuck covered by insurance?
Patients should not expect their insurance to cover the cost of a tummy tuck. Tummy tucks are cosmetic operations that are not medically required. Medical insurance benefits do not cover procedures that are not medically essential and do not improve physical capability, and HSA reimbursement is not available. 2. When removing large superfluous skin following extreme weight reduction is considered a medical necessity, a comparable treatment called panniculectomy may be approved by insurance.
How can I finance and pay for a tummy tuck procedure?
The majority of cosmetic and plastic doctors expect payment on the day of operation. There are various options for making a payment. You can, of course, use your funds to pay for the procedure. If you choose to pay over time, it’s crucial to note that only a small percentage of cosmetic surgeons offer credit to their patients through their clinic, where consumers receive bills and pay the surgeon directly on a monthly basis. However, almost all take standard credit cards, and many accept the CareCredit credit card, which may be a more convenient way to pay for plastic surgery.
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.
Does insurance pay for tummy tuck for back pain?
Abdominoplasty, or tummy tuck surgery, is a procedure that removes extra fat and skin from the stomach. Dr. Paul Zwiebel, a Denver plastic surgeon, may tighten abdominal muscles, pull in the waist line, and tone the entire abdominal area with a stomach tuck. Abdominoplasty may provide certain health benefits, including as fat reduction, core strength and balance restoration, and increased mobility – all of which can improve exercise capacity. Tummy tuck surgery may also be beneficial in the treatment of chronic back discomfort caused by obesity. Abdominoplasty, despite all of these advantages, is not covered by insurance.
At the Zwiebel Center for Plastic Surgery, we believe that money should not be a barrier to individuals seeking procedures that can improve their physical and emotional well-being. That’s why we provide a variety of cosmetic surgery financing solutions to fit almost any budget and make tummy tuck surgery a reality.
If you’re thinking about having an abdominoplasty but are concerned about the expense, call our Highlands Ranch office at 303-470-3400 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Zwiebel and learn more about your options. Dr. Zwiebel is a compassionate and board-certified plastic surgeon who seeks to fulfill the needs of each patient he sees. He would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your abdominoplasty financing choices as well as the many benefits that stomach tuck surgery has to offer.
Will a tummy tuck help with back fat?
3D belly tuck surgery can be used to remove stubborn fat and loose skin from the abdomen, just as a traditional tummy tuck. The 3D tummy tuck, on the other hand, treats excess skin and fat on the hips, flanks, and lower back, resulting in a more comprehensive makeover that can be appreciated from any angle. The celebrity tummy tuck results in more proper proportions and a lovely, natural-looking new physique by fixing abnormalities all the way around the patient’s waist. One of the most significant advantages of 3D tummy tuck surgery over regular stomach tuck surgery is the reduction of the fat pocket on the lower back.
How long is recovery from tummy tuck?
You should schedule your rehabilitation so that you have enough time to heal and may take a break from some elements of your life. Make sure you’ve made all of the necessary preparations and are ready to go for your recovery time.
After the surgery, your drains will be left in for a few days. You will be taught how to clean and empty the drains. While your drains are in place, you’ll probably need to take an antibiotic and an anticoagulant.
An abdominal binder will be worn for roughly six weeks. This aids in the prevention of fluid buildup and the support of your abdomen.
While the recovery time for a mini-tummy tuck is usually shorter, you’ll still need to avoid vigorous activity for at least six weeks. Any strenuous workout or heavy lifting falls under this category.
Will insurance cover a tummy tuck if I 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.
Is a tummy tuck worth it?
The short answer is yes; this treatment is well worth your time and money. After around three months, most patients notice great benefits, and by six months after treatment, they are shocked at how different their bodies look. For up to a year, the tummy can keep getting flatter and better appearing. These treatments are considered a wonderful investment in both your self-esteem and overall look because they may completely transform your physique.