Tummy tuck surgery

Has anyone had tummy tuck surgery that was covered by insurance?  Want to know how you got it approved, etc.  I think I am going to have problems getting it covered with my particular insurance.

"most" insurance companies will cover Panni Removal (not a tummy tuck) if you meet very specific requirements. Your best bet is to contact the insurance company and ask. They normally require at least 6 months of dr documented skin problems that do not resolve with multiple treatment (have your doctor document everything with pics to).  The panni must be a certain size, hang down to a certain point, etc. It really depends on your policy.

Good luck!

Yeah, what Lynn said. I've attended enough plastic surgery seminars ...she's right. Insurance just doesn't cover a tummy tuck. You can document any amounts of rashes, etc ...if they don't cover it, than they don't cover it.

A panniculectomy is different. The difference between the 2 is a tummy tuck is cosmetic, a panniculectomy is not. With a panni ...the plastic surgeon takes your "apron" of skin hanging over...whatever he/she can grab from one point to another ...that is what will be removed. There is no "tucking" or making look pretty with that surgery. With a tummy tuck ...they take all the extra skin, staple the muscles underneath, and pull everything up (or down I guess) and make it look pretty for you.

I did have a panniculectomy and the process was easy! The plastic surgeon I chose had been at our weight loss center and did a seminar. I went in to talk about a tummy tuck. She looked at my insurance and said "your insurance doesn't cover a tummy tuck for ANYONE" ...and then we went over a panniculectomy. She asked if there was any rashes and I said "yeah, from time to time, and the smell is bad sometimes" ..and that was what she submitted to the insurance along with pictures she took. 6 weeks later and I had the surgery.

Your best bet? Either call your insurance OR make a consultation appointment. They deal with insurance companies day in and day out ...they can at least give you an idea about what will be covered.

I tried for almost two years to get my insurance to cover it, even with documentation from my PCP of rashes and infections and they wouldnt budge, eventually my husband and I took the money out of our retirement and I had it done, I dont regret a thing!!

I had mine covered by insurance because I had a hernia repair at the same time.  The doctor had to submit the pics etc. and it was only going to be 1000.00 more along with the hernia repair.  Good luck.