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The modern health insurance industry can be very protective of its assets. After all, at the end of the day, they are for profit business which are looking to make money off of their investments.
As a result, insurance only covers the necessities with their health insurance- medical emergencies, treatment for terminal diseases, annual checkups- and eschews things that some might consider frivolous. At the top of that list is cosmetic surgery. Medical treatments whose sole purpose is to bolster somebody’s appearance.
Liposuction is, ultimately, a form of cosmetic surgery. It’s intended purpose, in more than 9 out of 10 cases, is as a supplement to one’s appearance, rather than out of any real medical necessity. As a result, it’s unlikely that anyone will get their insurance provider, especially if it’s a major provider such as Anthem, Humana, or CVS Health to cover their liposuction procedure.
Of course, that isn’t to say that there are no major instances of liposuction or other cosmetic surgeries being covered by insurance providers. Usually, this is because the case in question is determined to be a medical emergency or there exists some form of medical basis necessitating a liposuction procedure.
Some examples include heart congestion or cardiac issues, reducing high triglyceride levels, or removing subcutaneous lipomas. In these instances, the patient may be eligible for coverage from their health insurance provider.
Liposuction does actually have some health benefits, depending of course upon the patient and the amount of fat that’s removed from the body during the procedure. Liposuction has been proven to aid in medical complications that result from obesity (though liposuction is not a cure for obesity itself) like cardiovascular congestion and back pain.
Additionally, liposuction reduces triglyceride levels in the body. These fatty lipids can be used to provide additional energy between meals, but too much of them can cause serious health issues.
The other major use for liposuction procedures in today’s world is removing lipomas. Lipomas are fatty deposits that rest just under the skin forming an ugly lump. Typically they’re harmless, but every once in awhile, they can be cancerous and should be treated by a medical professional as soon as possible. One of the best treatments we currently have for them is liposuction. If you require liposuction for a cancerous subcutaneous lipoma, your insurance provider is almost certain to cover the procedure.
One of the other major uses for liposuction is lipedema- a disorder wherein fat deposits in the body swell into the leg, causing bloating and swelling in the legs, and in severe cases, lower torso.
While this is a major medical issue, liposuction used to treat the case is almost never covered by major health insurance providers because it’s been deemed that the problem can be solved with conservative therapy.
However, if you find yourself unable to pay for the costs of liposuction procedures out of pocket, and wish to remain a law-abiding citizen who isn’t found guilty of insurance fraud, fear not- there may be other methods of getting your insurance company to sign off on your claim. The best ways are to speak with experts on the matter so that you can ensure that you’re getting the best coverage possible.
The first and most obvious step to making sure that you’ve got the best care you can get is startlingly rare for how simple it is- talk to your insurance provider. Insurance companies genuinely do want to give you the best care that they can.
They are, after all, here to help. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t be around. So speak with your insurance provider to find out if they can provide you with the funding you need for your liposuction treatment.
Speaking to your primary care physician is the next step. Doctors are some of the fiercest advocates for the necessities of health care, and if you feel that you’re genuinely in need of liposuction for one reason or another, it’s likely they can assess whether or not your instincts hit the mark.
Your primary care physician is the first line of defense in making sure that you receive the medical treatment you need, and are likely the key to making sure you get the liposuction procedure you want, need, and deserve.
With that being said, don’t betray the good doctor’s trust. If you fake a health problem in order to try and appear like liposuction is a medical necessity for you when it isn’t. Insurance fraud is a serious crime and can result in up to 5 years in prison, and a fine equal to but no more than $50,000 USD.
That’s a really serious penalty- not to mention that it’s unethical to do. So if you’re going to try and get your insurance company to pay for your liposuction procedure, do so in an honest fashion.
Of course, at the end of the day, sometimes you just won’t be able to convince your insurance provider that your liposuction procedure is a medical necessity. After all, much of the time, it isn’t, and you shouldn’t try and pretend otherwise to get them to cover it.
Insurance companies are, after all, businesses, and while they do have your best interests at heart, their own interests come first, and sometimes you simply won’t get them to cover it. That’s just a fact of life in the healthcare industry.
If your insurance company fails you and you need some other method of getting your liposuction procedure, the only real option that remains to you is to pay out of pocket. True, this may be a bit expensive, but it’s nothing that a resourceful person can’t handle.
The cost of liposuction isn’t too prohibitive- especially when it comes to the cost of medical procedures in the United States as a whole. One treatment area can $4,500 and treating six areas can cost about $10,500. So the minimum is the cost of a beat-up old chevy, and the maximum cost is that of a beat-up old BMW.
Either way, it’s worth it. And if you find that you don’t have the spare income at the moment, saving up a dollar here and there can bring some pretty spectacular savings after a while.
Of course, if you require a liposuction procedure sooner rather than later, then a payment plan is always an option. Almost all liposuction clinics offer a payment plan where any reasonably paid person can offer a small portion of their income for a few months until they’re paid off completely. That way, any old joe can afford a liposuction procedure out of pocket any day of the week, and not be too worried about what their financial future holds.
But all of the worrying about money and finances for the sake of your liposuction job is redundant anyhow- there is no price point too high for the peace of mind that comes from happiness, health, and self-confidence that are a result of a liposuction procedure. Don’t allow money to be the obstacle to a better-looking and better-feeling version of yourself.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment with the renowned plastic surgeon and breast & body specialist Dr. Mark Schusterman. Take your first steps to a more beautiful you.
3355 W Alabama St Suite 450, Houston, TX 77098
Mon-Thu: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Fri: 9:00am – 3:00pm