Usually, tummy tucks are considered cosmetic, so insurance doesn’t swoop in with coverage.
But every now and then, in special cases like excess skin after significant weight loss, insurance might consider footing the bill if it’s deemed medically necessary.
Here are some instances when a tummy tuck might pass for insurance coverage:
Stress Urinary Incontinence
Stress urinary incontinence is often something that moms experience after having a baby, especially through vaginal delivery.
Usually, it’s treated without surgery. However, studies say that tummy tuck surgery might give you a hand in dealing with it by taking the pressure off your urethra.
Back Pain
Back pain is another product of pregnancy. Your uterus grows, your posture changes, and your abs can take a hit. Weight gain can also be a real pain for your back.
For some women, the backache doesn’t pack its bags after childbirth. Tummy tuck surgery can help by beefing up your ab muscles so you can correct your posture and manage your back pain better.
Hernia
Ventral hernias are due to weak muscles near the front of your abs, and umbilical hernias occur near your belly button. Both can be fixed with a combination of hernia repair and tummy tuck.
These surgeries repair the ab muscles, bulk up your abdominal wall, and help keep hernias at bay.
In such cases, you might be able to convince your insurance company to cover part or all of the costs of your high BMI tummy tuck.
But if your insurance agency still considers your plus-size tummy tuck purely cosmetic and thus not eligible for insurance coverage, fret not. There are plenty of financing options out there — like CareCredit, Alphaeon, and United Medical Credit — to help you make your dream procedure a reality.