The Tummy Tuck: Will It Be Covered By Insurance?

Like most forms of plastic surgery, the tummy tuck is rarely covered by most health insurance plans. Even though it can be asserted that many individuals need this type of procedure for their own mental health, insurance companies rarely see the overall benefits and instead look at it strictly based on medical need. There are some exceptions, however, and these exceptions should be explored if you’re thinking of having the procedure done.

A tummy tuck, in many instances, will fall under the category of elective surgery. What this means, simply, is that it is not a medically necessary procedure. Having it done will not reduce significant pain or take away the threat of demise. Insurance companies categorize certain procedures like this so they do not feel obligated to pay for them. If you cannot find a medically necessary reason to have the procedure, then it is unlikely that your insurance company will even help to cover the costs. However, as you will see, there are legitimate medical reasons why the procedure could be performed.

One such reason is hernia. To repair a hernia – which is a tear in the wall of the abdomen – surgeons must go into the area in much the same way they would in the case of a tummy tuck. For this reason, some patients choose to add abdominoplasty to their hernia operation. If you do this, the insurance company will pay for part of the costs. Granted, they will not cover the specific extra costs of the abdominoplasty, but this is one way you can save on the full price of the procedure.

Excess skin itself can cause more than mental anguish. In some cases, it can cause rashes and even infections. If this is the case, and a doctor can confirm it, your insurance company could very well cover at least some of the costs of the procedure, and potentially pay for the whole thing.

Due to injury or simply weight gain, the muscles of the abdomen can become separated. This can lead to lower back injuries and pain if not treated. If a doctor can demonstrate that the abdominal stretching is having a significant effect on your quality of life, the reparation of the area (which is partially what a tummy tuck is all about) could be covered by most insurance policies. See your doctor and explain the problems you’ve been having and ask him if he or she thinks that this sort of operation could be covered by insurance. The doctor will have a great deal of experience in this area and will be able to give you a good idea of if the procedure will be be deemed surgically necessary given your circumstances.