Since 2017, the plastic surgeon industry in the United States has been growing by about 7% each year during most years. In 2022, there was enough demand in the plastic surgeon industry to generate over $26 billion in revenue in the United States alone. On top of that, market experts predict that this industry will continue to grow faster than the general economy in the years to come.
Although breast lifts are often cosmetic procedures, in some cases they can also be necessary for medical reasons. However, many people still wonder, “When is a breast lift medically necessary?” It can take a little time to understand the details relevant to this question.
Read on to learn all about the most vital things to understand about when breast lifts are necessary for medical reasons and can be covered by insurance!
Covering a Medically Necessary Breast Lift
If you have ever wondered, “Can a breast lift be medically necessary?” the simple answer is yes! That also means that your insurance company might pay for your breast lift procedure. However, it is important to understand that there is some ambiguity about when a breast lift is necessary or not.
We will discuss several signs that your own breast lift procedure might be a medical necessity. Some insurance companies, however, disagree about which situations justify breast lifts and which do not. In some cases an issue that might convince one insurance company to cover a breast lift procedure will not convince another insurance company.
On the other hand, there are some cases in which it is more than clear that a breast lift is necessary. But what kind of factors determine if a breast lift is a necessity or not?
When Is a Breast Lift Medically Necessary?
Most people get breast lifts for cosmetic reasons. It’s important to note that breast lift procedures can also help alleviate health problems. In the latter case, there is a good chance that insurance companies will cover the cost.
So what kind of health problems can make your breast lift procedure necessary?
In some cases, chronic pain in your back, neck, or shoulders can be relieved through a breast lift procedure. This kind of chronic pain is often the result of large breasts that put constant stress on the neighboring muscle groups of the body.
This chronic pain may need to be significant in order to make a breast lift procedure necessary. Mild discomfort may not be enough. On top of that, chronic pain will generally need to last for one or more years before it can be used to prove a breast lift procedure is necessary.
In other cases, a breast lift might be necessary to alleviate recurring rashes. Some breasts hang down and cover up the skin below, creating an area that tends to be warm and moist. This can provide an ideal environment for infections to develop.
If you deal with recurring rashes under your breasts, that may be enough to make your breast lift procedure necessary. You may need to try simpler interventions first to see if they solve this problem.
Another reason a breast lift procedure might be necessary is if your breasts are causing your spine to curve in an unhealthy way. Some women have such heavy breasts that they end up hunched over the majority of the time. This can also lead to general stiffness or back pain.
Other Signs Your Breast Lift Is Necessary
You might need a breast lift procedure without even knowing about it. Sometimes, heavy breasts can lead to tingling or numbness in your limbs.
Many people who experience this do not attribute it to their breasts. However, if your breasts are causing this problem, your insurance company may cover your breast lift procedure costs.
How to Prove Your Breast Lift Is Necessary
As a general rule, the more significant the health problems you are facing as a result of your breasts, the higher the chance that your insurance company will pay for your breast lift. However, you will still need to go through the process of establishing that your breast lift procedure is necessary.
To do this, you will need documentation that attests to your health issues. You will probably need to speak with your doctor about these problems and try to solve them in other ways. You may even need to see a specialist or a physical therapist.
If you have been trying to solve your health problems for six months or longer, it may be time to start considering a breast lift procedure. If you can provide documentation to your insurance company about everything you have tried with your doctors to solve your health issues, they may decide to pay for your breast lift procedure.
Getting Help From Your Plastic Surgeon
In some cases, your breast lift surgeon might be able to help you navigate this process. Many breast lift surgeons have a lot of experience working with patients who have gone through the process of getting help from their insurance companies. Consider finding a plastic surgeon with great reviews and asking if they can advise you about how to qualify for a breast lift covered by your insurance.
Understand What Makes a Breast Lift Medically Necessary
So when is a breast lift medically necessary? We hope you now have a much clearer understanding the circumstances that can qualify and why you might be able to receive insurance coverage for your breast lift procedure. If you think your insurance may cover a breast lift for you, you alos may want to find the right surgeon for you as soon as possible.
To learn more about how you can find qualified plastic surgeons for your needs, reach out and get in touch with us here at any time!