The amount of coverage that you qualify for will vary depending on what type of tummy tuck procedure you want to undergo. For example, if your surgeon recommends a full abdominoplasty procedure or a mini-tummy tuck procedure, then there may be more restrictions regarding how many times you can get this type of surgery within your lifetime. If you want to undergo liposuction as well, then there might also be additional limitations placed on how many times this procedure can be performed within a given time frame (1 year).
Tummy tuck insurance coverage is usually limited to a certain number of procedures per lifetime, and the maximum amount covered is typically $5000. The coverage that is available from most insurers is similar in nature to other cosmetic surgery insurance policies that they offer. In most cases, you will need to have a referral from your doctor before you can be approved for this type of insurance.
Read on to learn more on How Can My Insurance Pay For A Tummy Tuck , Will Insurance Cover Tummy Tuck For Back Pain and How To Pay For Tummy Tuck
How Can My Insurance Pay For A Tummy Tuck
Bodywork and beauty therapy allows us to look and feel our best, but these procedures can often be pricey. Tummy tucks are invasive procedures that are used to improve the look of the abdomen, and if you’re trying to get one, you may be wondering how to get a tummy tuck paid for by insurance.
Over the course of this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to get a tummy tuck covered by insurance, including the circumstances in which one would be covered. If you’re wondering, “Will Medicaid pay for a tummy tuck?”, we’ll also go into the circumstances in which you can expect it to.
Does Insurance Cover Tummy Tuck?
Tummy tucks are typically considered cosmetic and elective surgeries because they are rarely seen as medically necessary procedures that will either save your life or improve your quality of life. In the vast majority of cases, cosmetic and elective procedures are excluded from health insurance policies.
Will insurance cover a tummy tuck? Probably not. Now, you may be wondering about cosmetic insurance plans, which sound like they might end up paying out for a tummy tuck. However, cosmetic insurance policies are designed to pay for medical expenses that arise after a cosmetic surgery.
For example, if you go in for a tummy tuck and you end up with an infection that needs to be treated ASAP, your cosmetic insurance policy will come into effect and pay out for you. These policies can also pay out if you have problems in the middle of your cosmetic surgery and the doctor needs to do additional work that you’ll be charged for.
In some rare cases, you may find a policy that will pay out for a cosmetic procedure once in a blue moon, but you can bet that these policies will be far more expensive than your typical health insurance policy. The simple fact is that health insurance was not designed to pay for cosmetic procedures like tummy tucks.
Does Medicaid Cover Tummy Tucks?
Even though private insurance typically doesn’t cover tummy tucks, you may be wondering, “Does Medicaid pay for 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 was made for.
Medicaid was designed to deal with situations that are medically necessary for the patient. For example, if you need to remove a malignant tumor or if you need to get surgery to manage a hernia. Since tummy tucks are typically only cosmetic, they typically won’t be handled by Medicaid.
That being said, it doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to get an abdominoplasty covered by insurance, even if it’s Medicaid. These operations tend to fall into a grey area, so you’ll only ever know if your operation will be covered if you get in touch with your insurers and explain the situation to them.
Of course, it’ll take a little more work than just asking the carrier “Does insurance pay for tummy tuck procedures?” You’ll have to explain why a tummy tuck is a necessary procedure for you and how it will improve your quality of life and potentially even your overall health.
How to Get Medicaid to Cover Tummy Tucks
If you’re wondering how to get a tummy tuck covered by insurance, there are a few rare cases in which Medicaid will pay out. In the vast majority of these cases, there are either extenuating circumstances or the doctors will perform a procedure that’s similar but not identical to a tummy tuck.
If you’re wondering how to get insurance to cover a tummy tuck, you’ll need to prove that you need a medically necessary tummy tuck. Unfortunately, explaining to your insurer that boosted self-esteem will improve your overall health typically won’t fly as an excuse when you’re wondering, “Are tummy tucks covered by insurance?”
One situation in which Medicaid will pay out for your tummy tuck is if the excess skin is causing you back pain because of the additional weight it’s putting on your spine. You may also have incontinence that can be solved by a tummy tuck, but those are essentially the only cases in which a tummy tuck will be 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 go in for a hernia repair and the doctor performs a tummy tuck at the same time, it may be covered by your Medicaid.
How Much Will a Tummy Tuck Cost Me?
Will insurance pay for a tummy tuck? Most likely not, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the end of the world. Thankfully, tummy tucks are relatively affordable as far as cosmetic procedures go, and while you don’t want to cheap out when it comes to your health, you won’t have to if you’re willing to save a bit of money.
The average cost of a tummy tuck tends to be between $5000 and $6000, though this can vary dramatically based on where you’re getting the procedure done and the surgeon’s training. For example, some tummy tucks can cost you as much as $12,000 and some can cost as low as $3000.
If this seems a bit steep to you, it’s always possible to arrange a payment plan with the cosmetic clinic that you intend to work with. This will allow you to enjoy a better quality of life after your tummy tuck without having to worry about being on the hook for a huge sum all at once.
As with most medical procedures, you’ll want to take the time to sit down with your doctor and address what you want out of your tummy tuck. If you need a smaller tummy tuck that’s a little less invasive, you may find yourself paying quite a bit less than the average.
Will Insurance Cover Tummy Tuck For Back Pain
There are two reasons why a tummy tuck could be done for back pain. One is that the back pain may be due to excess skin that has formed after weight loss, and the other is that excess skin can cause problems in getting good alignment of the abdominal muscles.
Insurance will not cover this procedure for back pain because it is not medically necessary. However, if you have a lot of excess skin, you may qualify for insurance coverage under cosmetic surgery guidelines. If this is the case, then you should discuss your options with your doctor and see if tummy tucking will help relieve your back pain
Insurance companies do not cover cosmetic surgery for back pain. However, some people do have postural issues that cause their tummy to bulge out. If you have excess skin and fat deposits, that may be the reason why you have back pain.
If you are in good health, have a BMI of less than 30, and your doctor agrees that the excess skin is causing your back pain, then they may recommend a tummy tuck. This procedure involves removing excess skin and fat from around your belly button (navel) and waistline.
The procedure is usually done as an outpatient procedure with local anesthesia only (you will be awake but numbed). It is performed under general anesthesia if you have other medical conditions or if there are other areas that need to be addressed during the surgery (for example, if you want liposuction on other areas of your body).
The recovery time depends on how much tissue was removed during surgery. You should avoid strenuous activity for at least six weeks following the procedure.
How To Pay For Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is a body contouring procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen and helps you achieve a flatter, firmer look.
Tummy tucks are performed on people of all ages. They can be used to remove extra skin after weight loss or pregnancy, tighten loose skin around the belly button, and correct diastasis recti (separation of the abdominal muscles).
The average cost for a tummy tuck in the United States is $6,000-$12,000. This pricing guide provides estimates for what patients can expect to pay for tummy tuck surgery in their area. Actual costs may vary by surgeon and geographic location.
In general, tummy tucks are performed as an outpatient procedure so there’s no overnight stay required at the hospital. Patients are typically able to go home within hours of surgery with little pain or discomfort afterward.
You may be able to get a tummy tuck at a reduced cost if you have insurance. If you don’t have insurance, it’s still possible to get a tummy tuck at an affordable price.
If you have health insurance, the cost of your tummy tuck will depend on whether it is covered by your policy. For example, if your insurance company considers this procedure cosmetic, you may have to pay for some or all of the cost out of pocket. However, if your insurance company considers this operation medically necessary, then they may cover all or part of the procedure.
If your insurance does not cover the surgery, you may still be able to find a doctor willing to perform the surgery for an affordable price. However, you should always ask about payment options before agreeing to any procedures or treatments.
Tummy Tuck Cost: $7000-$15000