Cosmetic
Surgery - Are You Covered By Health Insurance?
Cosmetic
surgery, in its true sense, is an elective procedure that is performed
to reshape or enhance body parts a patient may find unflattering.
Since cosmetic surgery has an intrinsic aesthetic intent, it is
usually not covered by health insurance. The argument put forth
by insurance firms is that a person can very well do without cosmetic
surgery, and the procedure is used for mere beautification instead
of being a life saving surgery. On the other hand, reconstructive
surgery is generally covered by health insurance, though the extent
of coverage may vary a lot from one case to another.
In
many ways, the answer to the insurance question lies in discerning
whether the plastic surgery procedure is cosmetic or reconstructive.
For instance, abdominoplasty (or tummy tuck), when performed on
an obese patient to guard the patient against heart problems,
is eligible for health insurance. Breast reduction surgery, when
carried out with the intent of reducing weight of the breasts
to curtail orthopedic pain, is typically covered by health insurance.
On the other hand, breast implants or augmentations are performed
with the aesthetic aspect in mind and, therefore, dont normally
qualify for an insurance.
There
is a fine line dividing the two categories of plastic surgery,
namely cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, as far as eligibility
for insurance is concerned. For instance, eyelid surgery, when
performed to attain an aesthetic enhancement is considered cosmetic
and ineligible for insurance. The same procedure may be covered
by insurance if the eyelids are drooping to the extent of obscuring
a patient's vision. The hard fact remains that most of the plastic
surgery procedures are performed with an aesthetical intent, in
order to enhance alluring portions of the body.
To
summarise, plastic surgery that is performed to improve function
instead of aesthetics is normally eligible for an insurance cover.
However, its best to discuss your case with an insurance agent,
in order to determine if you are eligible for an insurance cover.
Nicola
publishes an informational site about eyelid surgery, with articles
and news, tips and views to help you make the correct choice about
Eyelid
Surgery and Blepharoplasty at http://eyelid.plastic-surgery-info.net
