Anyone know the "code" for tummy tuck/excess skin removal?

I am investigating what my insurance company may cover in terms of either a tummy tuck or just excess skin removal (to be done after I reach my goal but it's never too early to research, especially with open enrollment period coming up.)

They told me they need a code for the procedure in order to tell me any details including if it's covered or if not, how to apply for an exception.

Anyone know this? 

Thanks!!

You're best bet is to talk to a PS for this.  The reason is that there are many similar procedures with different CPT codes.  You will have to know what procedures you are having done to have the most accurate answer from your insurance.  In some cases, the length of the incision will mean a different CPT code.  So you'd have to know how the physician will drop the charges. 

I didn't look through everything here, but it might give you an idea:

http://www.acgme.org/residentdatacollection/documentation/Codelist/360methodgrp.pdf

Thanks. That's a huge list but I haven't been able to find anything that resembles a tummy tuck or skin removal. I am trying to avoid having to consult with a surgeon so far in advance but may just have to.

You probably want to look for the technical names of the procedures. So start there.  Google body contouring procedures and start looking for things like the things I have in my signature (keep in mind for the thoracicoplasty has multiple meanings not just removal of a rib - I got that a lot from people here).

I do know that the circumferential body lift is technically a lower belt lipectomy (sp)

No luck finding a panniculectomy (I probably killed the spelling there) or any of the things you have in your sig on that document.  But in doing a bit more research I probably need to wait at least a year after I reach my goal to consider surgery so that's going to be sometime in 2012 (aiming for goal by Summer 2011.)  So, no need to worry now I suppose.

reply was glitchy... thanks again though!

15847-Abdominalplasty
15830-Pannus removal

You could take a look at this. 

http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Documents/Medical_Profesionals /Abdominoplasty-and-Panniculectomy.pdf

Sweet! Thank you! That appears to actually be what I am looking for. Going to see if the insurance people can tell me anything more with some of those codes. If I get any info I'll report back since before I heard it from someone else, I had no idea insurance would even think of covering this.

Take a look at the article Dr. Lomonaco has written on getting insurance approval.  Just look under patients resources.  http://www.drlomonaco.com/index.shtml

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