According to most insurance companies, breast reduction is considered an elective and often non-covered procedure. This leaves many patients with a large out-of-pocket cost to have their breasts reduced to a more comfortable and manageable size. Finding a reliable and well qualified breast reduction surgeon in Chicago is one way you can help reduce the overall expenses related to having reduction surgery.
Why Doesn’t Insurance Cover It?
Each insurance company has different restrictions, but many qualify it as an elective because having large breasts is rarely considered a life threatening condition. Many also believe that if a patient chose to have their breasts enlarged surgically (another elective procedure, outside of certain instances-such as breast reconstruction post medically necessary mastectomy), then a procedure to reduce them is unnecessary. There are some situations where an insurance company may be more inclined to cover all, or part of a breast reduction. Having a diagnosis of macromastia, which has the following symptoms, may be one way to get partial or full coverage.
* severe back and neck pain that is directly related to the size of the breasts
* headaches related to the neck pain
* grooving on the shoulders from the bra strap
* numbness that radiates down the inner arm from compressed nerves
* persistent rashes underneath the breasts that require repetitive medical treatments
* breasts that are large enough to fit specified parameters, which factor in BMI and height
How a Good Surgeon Can Help
Finding a good breast reduction surgeon in the Chicago area can help reduce the burden of a reductive procedure, due to the fact they tend to have a lower incidence of painful and expensive to treat complications. Many surgeons also recognize the issues that patients often face when dealing with their insurance companies, which leads them to offering financing, or reasonable payment options. Another common offering from a good surgeon is a free, or low cost, consultation to help patients determine if breast reduction surgery is really their best options. Patients, who are depressed or anxious, should never try to jump into surgery, and a good surgeon will be sure that any major psychological issues are addressed before agreeing to operate.
Bottom Line for Costs
It is not uncommon to still have fairly steep costs in the end, even with a good surgeon and partial insurance coverage. A ballpark figure, as of 2015, is an end cost of $6,000 to $10,000.
Dr. Michael Horn, who is fully certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, is a premier breast reduction surgeon in Chicago.
