Question:
anyone know of a plastic surgeon in massachusetts?

need a plastic surgeon in massachusetts who takes masshealth or bmc to take off my extra skin on my arms and stomach    — janet valliere (posted on August 12, 2008)

August 12, 2008
Hi Janet, I live in Massachusetts and my Bariatric Surgeon is in Boston and he referred me to Faulkner Hospital on Centre Street. He has a group of Plastic Surgeons that work on his team. They are called Body Sculpting Specialists and work with weight loss surgery patients. They will work with your insurance companies but I know Masshealth will NOT remove the extra skin as they see it as being cosmetic. I have BCBS of Mass (HMO) and they will remove the extra skin but I am only 4 months post op so I still have a ways to go before mine can be done. But I have met with the doctor about my loose skin and "bat wings"--Karen in MA
   — Karen M.

August 13, 2008
I am sorry to tell you most insurance companies will not pay for plastic sugery. I had to pay for my tummy tuck myself. It was definately money well spent.
   — Carlyn M.

August 13, 2008
Most plastic surgeons in Massachusetts will take BMC and/or Mass Health. The problem is that BMC and MassHealth will not pay them for skin removal post-WLS unless you have some significant medical problems from the extra skin (infections, rashes, sores, pain, impaired mobility, etc.). And unfortunately, it is the BMC/MassHealth who determines what "significant" means... not you or the doctor. Are you in Western Mass?
   — mrsidknee

August 13, 2008
from someone that works for a MA based health insurance company. Many, if not all insurance companies will no cover skin removal as a result of this surgery unless it is causing other semi-serious conditions such as rashes, pain and the other conditions that were posted above. If there is a plastic surgeon that will submit the proper auth stating that it is medically necessary for these underline reasons, you have a shot. Also, from my experience, many insurance companies require you to be out of surgery for a bit over a year before they will approve you. any other questions, let me know.
   — blittlejr

August 13, 2008
Hi Janet - I live in Mass and have BCBS (HMO) I had my "bat wings" and lower body lift done this past January. I had it done at Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston now known as Tufts Medical Center. Dr. Christopher Davidson did my surgery. He is fantastic. My insurance DID NOT pay. As others have stated unless the hanging skin is causing problems which have to be documented they won't pay. They do request that you are at least a year out and have maintained your weight for a few months. This is because if you are not done losing weight and you have the surgery then you lose more weight you will have more hanging skin. Dr. Davidson's info is on this web site. He is in the process of putting his own web site together. I am so pleased with the results. I will be two years out in October. Best of Luck to you. Niecie
   — niecie54