Question:
I WOULD LIKE INFO ON HOW I CAN GET THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO PAY FOR THE THIGH SURGERY

I HAVE LOST 200 LBS AND I WANT TO GET MY THIGHS DONE BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS COSMETIC. DO I HAVE ANY ALTERNATIVE TO GET THIS APPROVED? AND ARE THERE ANY SAMPLE LETTERS AND CODING I COULD USE. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP.    — LORETTA P. (posted on January 18, 2004)

January 18, 2004
this is only what i have been told.....if you just have loose skin and it looks bad but doesn't cause any medical problems and you wanted it removed that would be cosmetic. if you kept getting rashs, boils, skin tearing ect....then it would be medically nessasary to remove and then be deemed reconstructive.
   — franbvan

January 18, 2004
Plastic Surgery: Someone mentioned to me to ask a burn-center about plastic surgery needed which insurance refuses to pay for. Burn Centers are in need of 'skin' for victums... Anyone ever been this route? Could this be a potential 'route' around insurance not wanting to pay for plastic surgery if you approached it saying you are donating your 'extra skin'? Just an idea...
   — barbara L.

January 18, 2004
It's a common misconception that burn centers will take "donations" from people who have lost a large amount of weight. My surgeon says that burn centers do not take LIVE donations, only from the deceased. I looked into this as well only to come up dry! Sorry for the bad news but good luck on the thighs!
   — SMG I.