Plastic Surgery and Insurance Tummy Tuck and Thigh lift :confused:

Hello,
I have read blogs on this site about people who gained approval from their insurance companies to pay for tummy tucks, etc. I do have some extra skin, and I wanted to know how to gain approval for at least a tummy tuck? Should I go through my bariatric surgeon first, or just contact a plastic surgeon? I have heard so many things about what insurance companies will and won't pay for. I don't know what would qualify a tummy tuck as medically necessary. I am really at a loss on this subject, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You!

First I would call your Insurance company to find out what their requirements are. Once you know that then you can proceed w/ your PCP & plastic surgeon for documentation and such based on the insurance companies guidelines.

Adding on to Sonnie's post - do NOT ask your insurance company about plastic surgery. Ask about reconstructive surgery. The first implies vanity elective surgery, the second medically necessary.

I had documentation from my PCP and a breast specialist at my gyny's office. My insurance covered breast lift/reduction and brachioplasty (based on the breast specialist's recommendation), circumferential lower body lift (based on my PCP) and thighs (we don't know why but are very grateful).

My surgeons felt that they could get the vertical cut that turned my LBL into a tummy tuck done within the time allotted for the other things done that day, and didn't charge me for it. If your insurance will only cover the panni, ask the surgeon about what it would add to get the vertical cut. It has made a huge difference.

Thank you so much for your replies. I really appreciate it1 I will contact my insurance company, and start working with my surgeon/P.C.P. Thanks again!

The insurance plans are getting more "together" on what they want. 

Almost all are now insisting that you have medical problems from the excess skin AND have been to the doctor AND have been given medications AND have failed to have imporve on the medications AND have done this for at least 3 months.

Most recognize the tummy (abdominoplasty) as a valid procedure, but skin excess anywhere else can be tough.  Some do not even recognize excess skin elsewhere as a surgery

My website has a lot of good information, links to the actual plan language for  some of the major carriers, etc..

http://www.drlomonaco.com/tips-on-getting-insurance-for-plas tic-surgery.shtml