Eyelid lift surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a common procedure used to remove excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids. Though it’s a relatively simple procedure, eyelid lift surgery does come with a significant cost—and not all insurance companies cover it.
If you’re considering having eyelid lift surgery done on your upper eyelids and want to know if it’s covered by your insurance company, we can help! We’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the process of getting insurance coverage for eyelid lift surgery.
Read on to learn more about Is Eyelid Lift Surgery Covered By Insurance, Cost Of Eyelid Surgery and How to Relieve Pain After Eyelid Surgery
Is Eyelid Lift Surgery Covered By Insurance
Blepharoplasty is a surgical technique that can dramatically eliminate the signs of aging and improve a tired or upset appearance by removing the excess skin, fat and tissue that cause droopy, baggy eyelids. It is one of the most popular aesthetic procedures performed in the United States, and has a tremendous impact on the overall appearance of the face. Several factors contribute to an appearance of aging around the eyelids, including loss of skin elasticity, years of sun exposure, downward pull of gravity, heredity, and thinning of tissue. These factors lead to a condition called dermatochalasis, or excess skin, wrinkles, fat and tissue around the eyelids. Though dermatochalasis is often associated with aging, some patients may develop this condition earlier in life.
Blepharoplasty surgery is not only performed for cosmetic purposes to enhance appearance, but it can also improve visual function. Blepharoplasty is performed for reconstructive purposes to correct visual impairment caused by excess skin that hangs down to obscure vision. Ptosis or eyelid droop can also occur in conjunction with excess upper eyelid skin. Ptosis occurs when the upper eyelid droops from lack of normal eyelid support. Children with ptosis can be a serious condition as a drooping eyelid from a poorly developed eyelid muscle can interfere with visual development. The majority of patients develop ptosis due to aging changes, which includes stretching or detachment of the eyelid muscle responsible for elevating the upper eyelids. Dermatochalasis can cause a “secondary” ptosis, with excess skin or tissue resting on the upper eyelid causing the eyelid to droop. Ptosis is also associated with trauma, prior ocular surgery, conditions such as thyroid disease, blepharospasm, nerve palsies or progressive neuromuscular conditions such as myasthenia gravis.
Patients may complain of visual obstruction superiorly, fatigue with reading, or brow ache from lifting the forehead muscles to compensate for the heavy, drooping eyelids. In these instances, blepharoplasty or ptosis surgery is considered medically necessary and is usually covered by insurance. Patients undergo evaluation by the surgeon, photographs and a visual field test to demonstrate the degree of visual field defect before surgery. Insurance and Medicare approval for functional eyelid surgery can vary, and continues to evolve with healthcare changes. When blepharoplasty of the upper or lower eyelids is performed to improve one’s appearance in the absence of any signs or symptoms of functional abnormalities, the procedure is considered cosmetic and therefore not a covered service by Medicare or private insurance carriers.
Surgeons who perform blepharoplasty and ptosis surgery must have an excellent knowledge of the anatomy of the eyelids and the face as well as an appreciation of the aesthetic and functional goals of each patient. Though traditional techniques of blepharoplasty should be known, the surgeon must customize the approach that best suits each individual patient. Facial rejuvenation is an evolving art and science, and new better techniques are continually developing.
Cost Of Eyelid Surgery
Blepharoplasty is cosmetic surgery of the eyelid in which excessive eyelid skin is removed with or without the removal or addition of eyelid fat.
Blepharoplasty is cosmetic surgery of the eyelid in which excessive eyelid skin is removed with or without the removal or addition of eyelid fat.
The term blepharoplasty was coined by the German ophthalmologist, von Graefe in 1818 to describe eyelid repair surgery. The word ‘blepharoplasty’ is derived from the Greek blepharon, meaning ‘eyelid’, and plastos, meaning ‘formed’.
It is commonly referred to as eyelid lift. However, the term is a misnomer as the eyelid is not actually ‘lifted’ during the procedure. Blepharoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic surgical procedures of the face. It is performed more often in women than in men, most commonly in their fifties.
Blepharoplasty typically costs a little over $3,000 for the surgery alone, not counting anesthesia and related hospital expenses, according to the latest data.
How can upper eyelid surgery help me?
Blepharoplasty can be done for functional reasons when eyelid folds interfere with normal vision or health of the eye or for cosmetic reasons. The indications include:
- Tired looking or baggy eyes
- Droopy eyelids
- Excess skin on the upper eyelid that interferes with vision
- Age-related cosmetic changes of the eyelid
Are there any medical alternatives to eyelid surgery?
The excess skin and fat of the upper eyelid cannot be corrected by medication. However, in patients with severe functional deficits in visual fields who are not fit for surgery, spectacles with a ptosis crutch or taping up of the excess skin may provide some temporary improvement.
Is eyelid surgery safe?
With a skilled surgeon, proper planning, and good patient selection, the surgery usually turns out to be a quick, simple and low-risk procedure. Nonetheless, like any surgery there are potential complications, including:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Hematoma collection of blood under the eyelid)
- Loss of vision
- Raised eyeball pressure
- Pain
- Scarring
- Lid lag
- Insufficient drooping correction
- Diplopia (double vision)
- Asymmetric or unequal eyelid creases
How much does upper eyelid surgery cost?
Eyelid surgery costs mainly include:
- Surgeon’s fee
- Hospital or surgical facility costs
- Anesthesia fees
- Medications cost
- Medical tests
Cosmetic eyelid surgery, on average, costs $3,163 according to 2018 data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. However, this cost does not include the expenses for anesthesia, operating room facilities, or other related costs.
The fee varies depending on the type of procedure, the location of the hospital, and the experience of your operating surgeon. Thus, it is wise to consult with your plastic surgeon’s office to ascertain your final fee. You should also ask about any available patient financing plans from the doctor’s office.
Can I claim insurance for blepharoplasty?
Cover for cosmetic surgeries and their complications is usually not offered by most health insurance. However, when eyelid surgery is intended to remove the extra skin impairing eye function or health, it may be covered by insurance.
How to Relieve Pain After Eyelid Surgery
Depending on the circumstances, your doctor may prescribe pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs within the first few days after surgery.
Beware though, that not all pain medications are safe. Some drugs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, may increase bleeding and affect recovery. Don’t take any medications without your doctor’s approval.
For every hour on the night after the procedure, you may need to apply ice packs or cold compresses on your eyes. This helps reduce pain and swelling.
Makeup products, eye serums, face creams, and other cosmetics contain chemicals that may damage the skin around your eyes; Avoid them for two weeks or so. If you wash your hair, make sure to keep water, shampoo, and soap out of your eyes.
Your doctor may also recommend antibiotic ointments and eye drops. Use them as prescribed. These medications prevent infections and ensure a smooth recovery.
Give Your Eyes a Well-Deserved Break
Your body needs time to fix damaged tissues. That’s why it’s recommended to get plenty of sleep and follow a balanced diet after the intervention.
Also, take some time off from exercising and doing house chores. Your doctor will likely recommend avoiding heavy lifting, high-impact aerobics, jogging, and other intense activities for around a week.
Stop smoking and limit your exposure in the first few weeks after surgery. Don’t drive until you’re no longer taking any narcotics and/or other pain relievers.
Refrain from using the computer, reading, and watching TV for more than a couple of minutes, as your eyes will get tired easily.
Get Rid of Sagging Eyelids and Feel Like Yourself Again
Now that you know what to do after eyelid surgery, it’s time to decide whether the procedure is right for you. Discuss your options with a qualified surgeon. Don’t be afraid to ask questions so you know what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.
Pain is part of the recovery process. If you follow the doctor’s recommendations, you should feel better within a few days.