Question:
Has anyone had insurance to pay for tummy tuck and brachioplasty?

I was just wondering if anyone has had their insurance to pay for a tummy tuck and brachioplasty? Or any other plastic surgery. Any info will be helpful I go see a plastic surgeon next Tuesday. Any questions I should ask her? Has anyone ever asked the plastic surgeon for a discount on their out of pocket expense and got it? thanks.    — Carrie W. (posted on April 5, 2004)

April 5, 2004
I was lucky enough to have Personal Choice pay for my tummy tuck and hernia repair which is scheduled for 5/5/04. One month from today. Good luck with getting approval. 5/9/03 314/174.5/170
   — Ronika D.

April 5, 2004
There are lots of members that have been sucessful in proving medical necessity in order to get their excess skin removed. I was approved last fall (tummy tuck only), but had to postpone due to pregnancy. I do not think that you will be successful in getting a cash discount from a plastic surgeon, but I guess anything is possible. Plastic surgery has traditionally been a fee for service type business. It's them taking insurance that is the new thing. Some don't even bother with ANY insurance filings at all - all of their business is cash only and in that case the demand will set price. Good Luck. <p> Also, just to throw the option out there, I have researched PS in Brazil. My ins company only approved the tummy tuck, denied breasts and the dr. didn't even bother to submit the arms (knew I would be denied). I would also eventually like toget my thighs done. The prices are pretty good and the ones in the list include all costs - surgeon, hospital, and gas man. Something you might want to consider: <p> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MedNetBrazil/
   — Ali M

April 5, 2004
I've had four plastic surgeries so far and have yet to get insurance to pay for any of them. I have gotten my surgeries at a discount though. I allowed a TV crew to film my surgeries and in exchange for the publicity, my surgeon gave a great deal on the surgeries. I guess you'd have to check with your surgeon to see if he or she would be willing to do that. You also have to be sure that you're willing to be on television in a humbling position. To me it was worth it since it was the only way to have the much needed plastic surgery. My surgeon pursued me for this so I don't know what other surgeons are willing to do, but it's worth a shot if insurance wont pay.
   — Traci H.

April 5, 2004
Acordia was my primary provider, and CIGNA PPO was the secondary. They paid for my panniculectomy and brachioplasty which were done during the same surgery. My plastic surgeon submitted a letter of medical necessity requesting "reconstructive surgery" (NOT cosmetic surgery), as well as frontal and profile photographs. I had always heard that a picture was worth a thousand words...now I believe it! I have known several people who were denied coverage for their reconstructive plastic surgery on the first request, but were subsequently approved after going through the required appeal process....so don't give up if that happens in your case. After my WLS, it was the best decision that I ever made. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

July 22, 2004
Amerihealth has paid 100% for all plastic surgerys..I have had a Pannie...Thigh - lift and just had approval for an arm lift.....I was almost 387 lbs when I had my RYN in 01/02/02,,,down to 227lbs and had tummy tuck in 12/05/03...thigh lift (ouch the worst and still draining..house confined with 35 home health care visits since 3/04/04 and was just approved for arm lift today...I am putting it off until Oct. since I am anemic and my hemoglobin level is below 10....Good Luck I am in the South Jersey area and use Penna. Hospital for all of my care...Dr.Francine Cedron is my P>S and Dr. Matt Kirkland did my original RYN in 2002....
   — irene B.