I just had surgery last month but I'm wondering about skin removal. I've heard that it's possible for insurance to cover it. I'm wondering how that all works? Is it common?

Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

If your insurance covers it. You have to have documented rashes, skin issues.

If they pay they just pay to remove the skin, so you have a nasty scar and are disfigured. If you want it doneasy and have it look good, you need to pay the difference for plastics.

Panniculectomy is what has a possibility to be covered. It's not a tummy tuck, it's more just getting rid of the skin on your belly to prevent rashes and improve movement. So not for aesthetics. I haven't heard of them covering skin removal on other body parts.

When I lost a ton of weight a few years ago, I had a consultation with a plastic surgeon about getting all my loose skin removed (body lift, arms, breasts, thighs). He said if I had good documentation of skin rashes from my doctor, insurance might cover a small portion of the body lift part of the surgery, but it was somewhere around 10% of the total bill. I am now getting the sleeve because I gained the weight back, never getting the plastics!

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I lost 132#'s in 6 months after my RNY. I gained 8#'s back and have maintained my 124# loss for 3 years. Sept 2015 I had a Panni done. My insurance paid 100%. But with that being said, I wish I would have paid the extra for a Tummy Tuck at the same time. The PS removed 10 plus #'s. But he didn't follow thru with what he had promised he would do. I was left with more issues on my upper stomach and needs Lipo now. In order to get insurance to cover even the skin removal you need to document every infection that you get. I had documented my infections with my PCP, my Surgeon, and my Dermatologist and I took pictures myself. If you can afford it get the full blown tummy tuck with muscle repair. If only I would have known things would have been different. Good Luck

@@shedo82773 Thank you for sharing your story. I will definitely keep it in mind when i get to that point in time.

My insurance paid for a complete tummy tuck, with the exception of the reconstruction of my belly button because that was not considered medically necessary, so I paid $2,200 for a belly button :-)

My insurance paid for a complete tummy tuck, with the exception of the reconstruction of my belly button because that was not considered medically necessary, so I paid $2,200 for a belly button :-)

That is an expensive belly button. Did you take out an insurance policy on it?

My insurance paid for a complete tummy tuck, with the exception of the reconstruction of my belly button because that was not considered medically necessary, so I paid $2,200 for a belly button :-)

That is an expensive belly button. Did you take out an insurance policy on it?

I know and right now it's not even pretty!!

I just found out from chat with my UHC rep, " Mac B.: As per your plan the in network benefits for Panniculectomy are covered at 90% of eligible expenses after satisfying $250 deductible." but my PS doesn't file any kind of insurance so as soon as I can form complete sentences after I'm home I'll be requesting OR notes and detailed billing including ICD 10 codes so I can try to recoup some of the $18,387 this is costing...