Cosmetic Surgery and Procedures - Important Considerations
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Examples of cosmetic surgery done for medical reasons that may be covered (or partially covered) by insurance include:
- Treatment of severe scars or disfigurement caused by disease, injury, or birth defects.
- Breast reduction when large breasts cause pain or severely limit a woman's activities.
- Reshaping of the nose (rhinoplasty) to improve breathing and nasal function.
- Breast reconstruction after surgery to remove breast cancer (mastectomy).
Cosmetic surgery can be quite expensive, especially when you are paying for all of it out of your own pocket. Be sure that you know the total cost of the surgery, including the costs of the procedure itself (such as surgeon fees, anesthesia fees, and operating facility fees), any medicine before or after the procedure, follow-up treatments, office visits, and other expenses.
Also be prepared to cover costs resulting from complications during or after surgery or the need for "touch-up" surgery. Insurance may not cover treatment for complications that arise from cosmetic surgery. Some procedures, including skin treatments, liposuction, and breast enlargement, may have to be repeated as time goes by, to maintain the results. You will have to pay for these repeated treatments just as you paid for the initial treatment.
