Is Plastic Surgery Covered by Insurance?

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Yale Popowich served as a founding principal of Portland, Oregon’s first plastic surgery practice. Dr. Yale Popowich possesses a professional interest in educating clients on their options, including understanding their insurance policies.

Under certain circumstances, health insurance policies will cover expenses related to cosmetic procedures. If the procedure is deemed medically necessary, the likelihood increases that the surgery will be an eligible expense.

For example, patients who are morbidly obese may qualify for insurance-covered weight loss or gastric bypass surgery. Since excessive skin is sometimes a side effect of these procedures, tightening operations such as tummy tucks may also be covered, especially if the extra skin interferes with the performing of daily activities.

More commonly, insurance providers offer partial coverage of operations that have a cosmetic and functional component. This includes some forms of rhinoplasty, which can improve a patient’s breathing by repairing a deviated septum. Some eyelid procedures that eliminate vision reduction due to sagging skin may also be covered.