Beauty Article

Cosmetic surgery
in its true sense
is an elective procedure that is performed to reshape or enhance body parts a patient may find unflattering. Since cosmetic surgery has an intrinsic aesthetic intent
it is usually not covered by health insurance. The argument put forth by insurance firms is that a person can very well do without cosmetic surgery
and the procedure is used for mere beautification instead of being a life saving surgery. On the other hand
reconstructive surgery is generally covered by health insurance
though the extent of coverage may vary a lot from one case to another.

In many ways
the answer to the insurance question lies in discerning whether the plastic surgery procedure is cosmetic or reconstructive. For instance
abdominoplasty (or tummy tuck)
when performed on an obese patient to guard the patient against heart problems
is eligible for health insurance. Breast reduction surgery
when carried out with the intent of reducing weight of the breasts to curtail orthopedic pain
is typically covered by health insurance. On the other hand
breast implants or augmentations are performed with the aesthetic aspect in mind and
therefore
don’t normally qualify for an insurance.

There is a fine line dividing the two categories of plastic surgery
namely cosmetic and reconstructive surgery
as far as eligibility for insurance is concerned. For instance
eyelid surgery
when performed to attain an aesthetic enhancement is considered cosmetic and ineligible for insurance. The same procedure may be covered by insurance if the eyelids are drooping to the extent of obscuring a patient’s vision. The hard fact remains that most of the plastic surgery procedures are performed with an aesthetical intent
in order to enhance alluring portions of the body.

To summarise
plastic surgery that is performed to improve function instead of aesthetics is normally eligible for an insurance cover. However
it’s best to discuss your case with an insurance agent
in order to determine if you are eligible for an insurance cover.