Does Medical Insurance Cover Cosmetic Surgery?

Cosmetic surgery can offer significant benefits by enhancing physical appearance, boosting self-confidence, and addressing aesthetic concerns. It has the potential to give you the opportunity to achieve the look you desire, help correct imperfections, and help you feel satisfied with your appearance. In case you are considering cosmetic surgery in order to enhance your looks or your body, you need to make a big decision and that should not be taken lightly. While most patients usually have a greatly positive experience and are happy with the results, you should not undermine the severity of the same as it is a surgery. Apart from carefully considering the physical changes, it is also essential to keep in mind the financial aspect of such a surgery.

Cosmetic surgery can be expensive, and it's important to have a clear understanding of the total costs involved, including pre-operative and post-operative expenses. If you have a health insurance policy you might be under the impression that you will be able to get financial aid with elective cosmetic surgery insurance coverage. However, you need to put in some research when you are looking for coverage. Here’s hoping that this guide will help you find answers to your queries like, ‘what is cosmetic surgery’, what are the risks involved in cosmetic surgery, and ‘does private medical insurance cover cosmetic surgery’.

What are Cosmetic Surgeries?

Cosmetic surgeries refer to the medical procedure that alters your natural appearance in a way you desire. For instance, rhinoplasty for enhancing the shape of the nose, breast reduction surgery, breast lift, facelift, skin tightening, liposuction, etc., are all cosmetic surgeries. Mostly, the purpose of cosmetic surgery is either to enhance the physical appearance so as to feel more confident in one's skin or it can also be medically prescribed.

Cosmetic surgeries give people the liberty to alter and enhance their physical appearance. Some of the popular cosmetic surgeries are:

• Botox: A surgery that aims at smoothening skin and removing wrinkles.
• Chemical Peel: A chemical solution that removes the top layer of skin with acne marks and spots.
• Facelift: Surgery is done to uplift the facial skin and remove sagginess that mostly comes with growing age.
• Facial Fillers: Fillers are chemicals used to cover acne dents and wrinkles.
• Laser Hair Removal: The laser technique helps remove unwanted hair growth from the body.
• Otoplasty: Surgery to enhance the shape of ears.
• Rhinoplasty: Surgery that is done to reshape or enhance the shape of the nose.
• Blepharoplasty: This is the eyelid surgery that removes the excess skin above and below the eyelids. 
• Eyebrow Lift: Also known as forehead rejuvenation, eyebrow lift is a cosmetic procedure that uplifts the eyebrow.

The list can go on. There are various cosmetic plastic surgeries for the face and body. Depending on your preference or the medical requirement, one chooses the process. Before going for any cosmetic surgery, especially elective ones, it is quintessential to understand all the effects of the surgery, including the negative side effects. There may be physical and hormonal changes as well. Now the question is, “does medical insurance cover cosmetic surgery?. Keep reading.

Difference between Medically Necessary and Elective Procedures

The popularity of cosmetic surgery has recently increased a lot. With more and more people willing to try various cosmetic surgeries, the associated expense is always a concern for many. When it comes to manage unforeseen medical expenses, a health insurance policy always comes to your rescue. Here question arises is does private health cover cosmetic surgery?

The answer is yes. A health insurance policy covers cosmetic surgery expenses, however, there are terms and conditions associated.

Mostly, a health plan only covers cosmetic surgery if it is a medical necessity and not an elective procedure. To better understand these terms and clauses and how does private medical insurance cover cosmetic surgery, have a look at the difference between medically required cosmetic surgery and an elected one:

We hope the above table has clarified your doubts on elective cosmetic surgery insurance. Mostly, health insurance providers do not cover elective cosmetic procedures. This is primarily because a health insurance plan aims to cover the medical expenses of an insured that are non-elective but medically required. For instance, rhinoplasty after accidental nose breakage, plastic surgery in case of burns, etc.

Depending on the chosen plan, the health insurance provider, and the coverage of the plan, a particular non-elective cosmetic surgery is covered. To understand what your insurance covers, it is best to raise a query with your insurance provider.

>> Also Read: Does Health Insurance Cover Surgery?

Let’s Wrap it Up 

Cosmetic surgeries require patience and specific post-surgery care. It is best to follow all the instructions of the doctor very minutely for the best results. There may be certain pre-surgery care that has to be done by the patient. These procedures depend on the type of cosmetic surgery being done. Whether you have opted for cosmetic surgery or it is a medical need, it is important to understand the terms of private health insurance cosmetic surgery.

As discussed above, a health insurance plan like those offered by Care Health Insurance helps you with the medical expenses of non-elective cosmetic surgeries. Our Care Supreme plan compensates for the expenses incurred towards such a surgery that is medically required owing to an accidental injury or burn. For more information you can connect with our experts or visit the official website.

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.