Does Insurance Ever Cover a Tummy Tuck?

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A tummy tuck is a common cosmetic procedure to remove excess skin around the midsection. It is a popular option among women who have had children and both men and women who have lost a large amount of weight, either through diet and exercise or weight loss surgery.

After one of these events, you may be left with excess skin around your middle, even if you have gotten rid of the underlying fat, leaving your midsection looking flabby, no matter how much you exercise. Not only that, but you may also become prone to rashes and skin infections in between the folds of excess skin, which can be quite uncomfortable and even painful.

Covering Tummy Tuck Costs

One of the first questions that many of our patients ask is, “Can a tummy tuck be covered by insurance?” The answer to this question is both yes and no. In many cases, a tummy tuck is merely a cosmetic procedure, and most insurance plans will not cover this. However, if you are experiencing rashes or skin infections, it then becomes a medical need to have the surgery. In this case, you may be able to get some of the costs of your tummy tuck covered by insurance.

Why only some of the costs, you ask? A tummy tuck is performed in two stages. The first stage involves tightening the underlying abdominal muscles to create a smooth contour. The second phase involves removing the excess skin so that the remaining skin can be tightened over your middle. For medically necessary procedures, insurance will cover the second phase of the procedure, as removing the excess skin is required to eliminate the risk of rashes and infections.

A Tummy Tuck for Your Budget

After your insurance has covered the skin-tightening portion of the procedure, you’ll still be responsible for paying for the muscle-tightening phase. Here at the Offices of Dr. Michael J. Streitmann, we want you to be able to have the procedures you desire to achieve your dream body. That is why we offer flexible payment plans to help you fit tummy tuck surgery into your budget. We’ll work with you to come up with a payment plan that best meets your needs.

Before we perform any procedure, we’ll provide you with a free consultation to review the details of the tummy tuck procedure, recovery, and ongoing care processes. We’ll take the time to answer all of your questions so that you can feel completely comfortable trusting us for your tummy tuck surgery. We have two offices in the Houston area to serve you. Call (713)667-4600 to get in touch with us today and schedule your free consultation appointment.

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