Liposuction: Insurance, Costs And Options

In a fast-moving world, it is easy to get quick solutions to problems such as a quick fix. In medical terms, these quick fixes come in the form of plastic surgery and other procedures which help you achieve the desired appearance on your physical body without having to work too hard.

Liposuction is one such example of a quick fix to weight issues. Many people get this procedure done to get rid of excess fat from anywhere in the body. This greatly reduces the time you might spend exercising and following strict diets to get your ideal body size and weight.

However, it should be noted that liposuction is not a foolproof alternative to losing weight through more traditional methods.

In this article, we will discuss more in detail liposuction, how much it costs and whether your insurance providers cover these charges.

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction, also known as liposculpture suction or lipoplasty, comes under the umbrella of cosmetic surgery. This procedure uses a suction technique to remove fats from some regions of your body.

The most common areas where people get liposuction done are the hips, abdomen, thighs, buttocks, neck, and arms. It is also called body contouring; you take the unwanted fats from these target areas and eliminate them from your body.

According to a study in the Plastic Surgical and Nonsurgical journal, liposuction is the most common cosmetic procedure in the United States. Every year, at least 300,000 procedures are registered and carried out, with each operation costing anywhere from $2000 to 3500.

How Much Does Liposuction Cost In The USA With And Without Insurance?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a liposuction procedure costs about $3637 on average. However, this rate does not include the other additional costs, such as the charges for operating room facilities, anesthesia, medication, and aftercare.

The general liposuction cost can vary widely, from $1000 to as high as $20,000. However, many factors come into play when determining the final cost of the procedure.

When it comes to procedures like liposuction, most health and medical insurance companies don’t regard them as medically necessary for the patient’s livelihood; hence, they do not cover the charges for such operations.

But if you’re lucky, you might find some agencies willing to cover at least part of the procedure, so you play a little less out of your pocket.

You can look at Cade Insurance if you’re looking for a one-stop shop for all your insurance needs.

Factors That Affect The Cost Of Liposuction:

As with many other medical and cosmetic surgeries, the cost is a variable that can be affected by many potential factors. Here’s a list of all the factors that can change the cost of your liposuction procedure:

The Location Of The Office Or Clinic:

The geographical location of the service facility is also a significant factor that affects the total bill of the procedure. Typically, the costs are much higher in metropolitan cities because of the high demand. These charges are subject to change according to your region, city, or state.

The Surgeon’s Fees:

If your doctor is a well-reputed surgeon, the costs can be higher. It also depends on the educational qualifications of the doctor, the training hours, and the experience.

Type Of Liposuction Procedure:

There are many different liposuction procedures, each with its process and complexities. Hence, your total bill will change depending on which one you are getting.

The table below shows the different types of liposuction procedures and the average cost of each:

 

Liposuction Procedures	Cost
Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction	$1500 to $10000
Radiofrequency-Assisted Liposuction	$2500 to $8500
SmartLipo	$1500 to $6000
Power-Assisted Liposuction	$2000 to $8000
Water Jet-Assisted Liposuction	$4500 to $10000
SlimLipo	$1500 to $6000
Tumescent Liposuction	$2000 to $11000
Laser-Assisted Liposuction	$2500 to $5500
Liposculpture	$1400 to $9500

 

The Anesthesiologist’s Fees:

Similar to the surgeon’s cost, the anesthesiologist also has a breakdown of fees that can be incurred. Typically getting general anesthesia is much more expensive as compared to local anesthesia.

Aftercare Costs:

The recovery stage will also vary depending on which procedure you have undergone. If it’s a particularly complex procedure, you might need to do some follow-ups with the doctor, costing more money. Or you can also be prescribed medication for your aftercare journey, which adds to the total bill.

What Are The Insurance Options That Cover Liposuction?

Regardless of whether your health insurance policy covers liposuction procedures, there are some exceptional cases for which you can get an exemption. This means that the insurance company will pay for your procedure, at least in part, for any health problems that can be treated via liposuction.

Some of the standard liposuction procedures that are covered by insurance are:

• Treating injuries by transferring the fats from one body part to another.
• Removing lipomas that might be cancerous
• Getting rid of fat deposits for those individuals with lipedema
• As part of the lymphedema treatment
• For the body parts that are affected by the lipodystrophy syndrome
• As a solution treatment for gynecomastia
• Fat removal for morbidly obese individuals

Additional factors to consider when getting liposuction insured by your provider:

Although not all the time, it is good news for many people to hear that some insurance providers cover the charges for liposuction. However, it should be noted that the agency only approves most illnesses and disorders requiring liposuction as part of the treatment if conservative therapy is proven to be in vain.

For instance, for Lipedema, since this condition is manageable or even curable with the use of alternative therapies, if you are claiming coverage for liposuction based on your lipedema condition, you should be able to prove to the agent that you have already tried conservative therapies.

Check out Calidad Insurance for more offers on various insurance packages that might interest you.

Conclusion:

Since liposuction procedures are generally considered cosmetic, most health insurance agencies don’t offer coverage. If this is the case for you, you can talk to your surgeon to devise a preferred payment plan that won’t hamper your financial status and can still get the operation done.

You can also take up a short-term loan through Redwood Coast Finance which offers a wide range of packages for your ideal plan.