Plastic surgery financing and insurance

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• Want to know about financing options?
• Wondering if insurance will cover the plastic surgery you're considering?
• Need help in submitting the paperwork to your insurance company?

When you're thinking about plastic surgery, you may have nearly as many questions about insurance and financing as you do about the procedure itself.

Dr. Sterry's expert office staff is here to help answer your questions and guide you through the process of obtaining financing or insurance.

Plastic surgery financing and insurance FAQ

Do you offer financing?

Yes. We offer financing through Care Credit. Our patient coordinator will be happy to explain our financing plans and help you apply. In most cases, she can have an answer from the financing company by the time you complete your consultation with Dr. Sterry.

What's the difference between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery?

• An operation is considered cosmetic surgery if it is done on normal body structures solely to enhance your appearance.
• A procedure is considered reconstructive surgery if a physician determines that the procedure is medically necessary for you-that is, you need the surgery to correct a medical problem that has not responded to other treatment methods.

Does Dr. Sterry participate in any insurance plans?

No-but you may be able to collect insurance benefits at the "non-participating provider" rate for plastic surgery procedures deemed medically necessary.

Can you file the necessary insurance paperwork?

Yes. Our financial coordinator can review your insurance plan to see whether it covers the type of procedure you're considering and if so, prepare and submit paperwork to apply for benefits.

Our staff will file the paperwork with your insurance company to qualify for benefits. You will be responsible for the cost of your procedure; then, any reimbursement you receive from the insurance company will be paid directly to you.

Does insurance cover plastic surgery procedures?

That depends on two factors:

• Whether the procedure is considered medically necessary in your case.
• Whether your insurance plan provides benefits for the procedure.

Before an insurance company will cover a plastic surgery procedure, another physician-your primary care doctor, chiropractor, etc.-must state in writing that the procedure is medically necessary for you.

That doctor would need to explain the medical problem, then document information from his or her treatment notes explaining how other medical treatments were unsuccessful in your case.

Does insurance cover reconstructive breast surgery?

The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1988 requires group health plans, as well as their insurance companies and HMOs, that cover mastectomies to provide certain benefits for reconstructive breast surgery.