Breast Reduction - Getting Insurance to Cover The Costs

Many forms of cosmetic surgery are not covered by health insurance plans. Facelifts, implants, nose jobs: these usually require demonstrating an exceptional physical need to see that your insurance company will pick up the tab. Even then, they will often only cover a portion of the surgery. With breast reduction, the story is different. Most insurance companies will cover the costs of this procedure, provided there is medical evidence showing a need, which there often is.

Many forms of cosmetic surgery are not covered by health insurance plans. Facelifts, implants, nose jobs: these usually require demonstrating an exceptional physical need to see that your insurance company will pick up the tab. Even then, they will often only cover a portion of the surgery. With breast reduction, the story is different. Most insurance companies will cover the costs of this procedure, provided there is medical evidence showing a need, which there often is.

One of the main things that can lead to an insurance company covering the cost of a breast reduction happens when the surgeon contacts the company himself. Approval chances can be increased under a number of criteria, concerning the doctor. If he has had a lot of experience dealing with this particular insurance company and he is included in their network of approved providers, that will obviously go a long way. Second, if he is commonly performing this type of medically necessary procedure, it will look better than if this is something out of the ordinary.

In order to secure insurance company approval, the patient will have to demonstrate that their current chest size is interfering in some way with the normal functions of their life. This does not include factors that would be considered of a cosmetic nature. While some women may feel that a smaller chest would make them more appealing, this would not be a valid reason for any insurance company to cover the cost of surgery. Rather, the patient should be able to show that they are suffering from back pain, the size and weight of their chest is preventing them from being able to exercise, or some other physical problems.

Another factor that can cause an insurance company to decide one way or the other when it comes to paying for breast reduction is the height and relative weight of the patient. If the company determines that the patient is overweight and that losing the excess fat would likely come with a decrease in chest size, they may declare the surgery unnecessary, thus being unwilling to shell out the money to cover the costs.

There are a number of different factors that come into play when talking about an insurance company choosing to cover a cosmetic surgery of any kind. The best thing to do is speak with a representative and know for sure what your options are.