How to get a tummy tuck paid for by insurance? Bodywork and beauty therapy allows us to look and feel our best, but these procedures can often be expensive. Tummy tucks are invasive procedures used to improve the appearance of the abdomen, and if you’re trying to get one, you may be wondering how to get a tummy tuck covered by insurance.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about insurance coverage for a tummy tuck, including the circumstances under which it would be covered. If you’re wondering, “Does Medicaid pay for a tummy tuck?”, how to get a tummy tuck paid for by insurance, we’ll also discuss the circumstances in which to expect.
Does The Insurance Cover Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tucks are typically considered cosmetic and elective surgeries because they are rarely seen as medically necessary procedures that will save your life or improve your quality of life. In the vast majority of cases, cosmetic and elective procedures are excluded from health insurance.
Does insurance cover a tummy tuck? Probably not. Now you may be wondering about cosmetic insurance plans, which seem to pay for a tummy tuck in the end. However, cosmetic insurance is intended to cover medical expenses that arise after cosmetic surgery.
For example, if you have a tummy tuck and develop an infection that needs to be treated as soon as possible, your cosmetic insurance policy will kick in and you will be reimbursed. These policies can also be paid if you have problems during your cosmetic procedure and the doctor has to do extra work for which you will be billed.
In some rare cases, you may find a policy that reimburses a cosmetic procedure once in the blue moon, but rest assured that these policies are much more expensive than your typical health insurance policy. The simple fact is that health insurance is not designed to pay for cosmetic procedures like a tummy tuck.
Does Medicaid Cover a Tummy Tuck?
While private insurance doesn’t normally cover a tummy tuck, you may be wondering, “Does Medicaid pay for a tummy tuck?” Unfortunately, in the vast majority of cases, you can’t expect Medicaid to pay for cosmetic procedures, because that’s not what it’s made for.
Medicaid is designed to address situations that are medically necessary for the patient. For example, if you need to have a malignant tumor removed or have surgery to control a hernia. Because tummy tucks are usually cosmetic only, they are not normally covered by Medicaid.
That said, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get a tummy tuck covered by insurance, even if it’s Medicaid. These transactions usually fall into a gray area, so you will only know if your transaction is covered if you contact your insurers and explain the situation to them.
Of course, it will take a little more work than just asking the operator, “Does insurance pay for a tummy tuck?” You will need to explain why a tummy tuck is a necessary procedure for you and how it will improve your quality of life and possibly even your overall health.
How To Get A Tummy Tuck Paid For By Insurance – Get Medicaid To Cover A Tummy Tuck?
If you’re wondering how to get a tummy tuck paid for by insurance, there are some rare instances where Medicaid will pay. In the vast majority of these cases, there are extenuating circumstances, or doctors will perform a procedure similar to, but not identical to, a tummy tuck.
If you are wondering how to get a tummy tuck paid for by insurance, you need to prove that you need a medically necessary tummy tuck. Unfortunately, explaining to your insurer that increasing self-esteem improves your overall health usually isn’t an excuse if you’re wondering, “can insurance pay for a tummy tuck?”
One situation where Medicaid will pay for your tummy tuck is if excess skin is causing your back pain because of the extra weight it puts on your spine. You may also have incontinence that can be remedied by a tummy tuck, but these are essentially the only cases where a tummy tuck is performed on its own and covered by your Medicaid.
Can a tummy tuck be covered by insurance in other circumstances? There are times when a doctor may perform a tummy tuck at the same time as another procedure. For example, if you need to have a hernia repaired and the doctor performs a tummy tuck at the same time, your Medicaid may reimburse this.
Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re interested in having a tummy tuck but can’t afford the procedure.
- Get a routine physical exam and talk to your doctor about any side effects your tummy may be causing. If there are health concerns that may be related to having a tummy tuck, your health care provider may be willing to provide some coverage.
- Determine if your abdominal area is causing your back pain. This side effect is especially common in people who tend to carry their weight in the stomach area. Health insurance companies often cover the cost of breast reduction due to back pain, so it’s not unheard of for some to cover a tummy tuck when the stomach is causing the same problem.
- Have your doctor check for a ventral or umbilical hernia. Both are problems that can be caused by the abdominal area. Health insurance companies may reimburse a tummy tuck for patients who experience any of these abdominal health problems.
- Ask your doctor to put you on a diet and exercise regimen that may help correct the problem. Schedule regular visits where the doctor will record the weight you are or are not losing. If you are having trouble losing weight, your doctor may send you reports of your repeat visits as proof that you are struggling to lose weight on your own.
- Ask your health care provider for information about tummy tuck coverage. Some companies may be willing to provide some coverage for patients who have health problems caused by their abdominal area. On the other hand, some health insurers may not be willing to give in to the guidelines they have for cosmetic procedures.
How Much Is A Tummy Tuck Without Insurance?
Does the insurance reimburse a tummy tuck? Probably not, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end of the world. Fortunately, tummy tucks are relatively affordable in terms of cosmetic procedures, and while you don’t want to cut corners on your health, you don’t have to if you’re willing to save some money.
The average cost of a tummy tuck is usually between $5,000 and $6,000, although this can vary widely depending on where you perform the procedure and the surgeon’s training. For example, some tummy tucks can cost up to $12,000 and some can cost up to $3,000.
If you find this a bit difficult, it is always possible to agree on a payment arrangement with the beauty clinic you want to work with. This allows you to enjoy a better quality of life after your tummy tuck without worrying about getting a huge amount all at once.
As with most medical procedures, you should take the time to sit down with your doctor and discuss what you want from your tummy tuck. If you need a smaller tummy tuck that is a little less invasive, you can pay a little less than average.
How To Get A Tummy Tuck Paid For By Insurance Tips
- Ask your doctor to provide your health care provider with a pamphlet about health problems associated with obesity around the abdomen.
- Find out if there are certain cosmetic surgeons that your health insurance company will or will not reimburse.
How To Get A Tummy Tuck Paid For By Insurance Warning
- Never pretend you have health problems so that your health insurance company will cover the cost of a cosmetic procedure.
- Be sure to research all plastic surgeons before having any procedure.
- Keep in mind that getting your insurance company to pay for any kind of cosmetic surgery won’t be easy, but don’t give up until you’ve even tried it.
