Without insurance, a breast reduction typically costs between $7,705 and $9,765. Remember that the cost of the operation, the anesthetic that goes along with it, and any hospital stays are all independent expenses.
The reason you chose to get breast reduction surgery will determine whether you can use medical insurance for the procedure. Aesthetic breast reduction surgery is regarded as a cosmetic technique.
An insurance provider won’t pay for cosmetic surgery in such circumstances. According to data from 2020, the typical out-of-pocket expense for aesthetic-based breast reduction surgery was $5,913.
On the other hand, your insurance might pay for a breast reduction if you need one owing to chronic pain or other physical conditions. The catch is that the majority of insurance companies demand evidence that you’ve first tried other nonsurgical treatments like physical therapy.
Additionally, in order for the procedure to be covered by some insurance carriers, a minimum amount of breast tissue that is estimated based on your body weight may need to be removed.
Takeaway
- The goal of breast reduction surgery is to make your breasts smaller.
- While having this surgery may solely be done for cosmetic reasons, many people choose to do it in order to alleviate recurring agony and suffering brought on by having huge breasts.
- It’s crucial to thoroughly consider the advantages vs potential hazards of any surgery and to talk about these with a doctor.
Is breast reduction surgery covered by health insurance?
Breast reduction surgery is covered by many health insurance plans. Your insurer might need to approve the operation, according to your plastic surgeon. A letter and maybe photo submissions are needed for this. You can arrange your operation after receiving authorization.
Any copays or deductibles your insurer imposes are your responsibility. You might elect to pay for the procedure yourself if your insurance plan does not provide coverage for breast reduction.
Procedure Overview
There are many things to think about while considering whether or not to get breast reduction surgery, but more than anything, the cost usually comes to mind first. The average national price for a breast reduction is $5,631, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
It’s crucial to keep in mind that this price might vary greatly from patient to patient and frequently does not cover other costs associated with the surgery. In general, the surgeon’s charge, facility fee, anesthetic fee, post-surgery fees, and cost of implants are the main expenses that go into your final bill.
The price of a breast reduction can range from $8,900 to $12,000 when all the additional costs, such as those for the surgeon, anesthesia, and operating facility fees, which are frequently disregarded, are taken into account (if not more).
But in the end, a number of variables will determine the overall cost:
- Surgeon Choice
- Surgery Expenses Scope of Procedure Operating Facility
- Regional context
Surgeon Choice
Based on the many tools at their disposal, amount of experience, and credentials, each surgeon has their unique method for executing breast reductions. The choice of surgeon is a crucial factor, especially when it comes to determining how much surgery will cost.
Selecting a cosmetic surgeon with significant knowledge of all breast surgery procedures who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is crucial. Although having a board certification does not always guarantee the greatest outcomes, the chances of a successful outcome are increased by the rigorous education and surgical training it entails. The sort of certification is also crucial; despite the existence of over 150 self-designated boards, the American Board of Medical Specialties only recognizes a small number of them (ABMS).
Our three plastic surgeons at Austin-Weston have a combined 75 years of experience, which has helped them build a solid reputation in the DC metro area and the local community.
To produce results that can change your life, each surgery is preceded by a lengthy consultation appointment and the skilled eye of our surgeons.
Scope of Procedure
As with most treatments, the price of a breast reduction will vary depending on the extent of the surgery needed, the patient, their expectations, and the regions of concern. The cost of the operation may rise because patients with very large, enormous breasts need more extensive surgery to remove extra tissue and relocate and reshape the nipple. Since every breast reduction surgery treatment is different from the next, discussing costs before a physician has examined the patient’s breasts and created a surgical plan specifically for them may be premature.
Utilizing a Facility
This is a crucial issue to take into account, not just because of the overall cost, but also because it could set a value on how essential your safety and satisfaction are to you. The decision-making process must take into account the significance of having your treatment performed in a licensed surgical center by qualified personnel. Avoid trying to save money at the expense of safety by having your procedure done at an unlicensed facility or by a doctor who is not board-certified in plastic surgery (ABPS).
The Austin-Weston Center is a standalone surgical facility with five operating rooms that are located in Reston, Virginia. It is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Our doctors specialize in plastic surgery, and all of our staff members hold Advanced Cardiac Life Support licenses and certifications from the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists (ACLS).
Surgical Costs
If these are all the expenses included in your estimate, you should inquire with the physician directly.
Since there are no fixed costs associated with any of these expenditures, it is crucial to look at a variety of possibilities by meeting with different surgeons and obtaining estimates for both their surgeon fees as well as the additional surgical-related costs.
Always factor in additional costs associated with surgery when determining the cost of a breast reduction:
- Anesthesia Fees
- Post-Surgery Garments
- Prescription Medications
Anesthesia Fees
The price of anaesthesia for breast reductions varies widely. The price will be higher if an anesthesiologist administers the anaesthesia. On the other side, the cost is less when a CRNA (or Nurse Anesthetist) is involved.
Utilizing a non-certified anesthetist nurse or medical assistant to administer the anaesthetic medications reduces costs in another way (and yes, this happens). Anesthesia costs are hourly, so if the surgeon uses a meticulous method that causes them to work slowly, the cost will rise in proportion to the rate of operation.
Regional context
When determining the cost of a process, it’s crucial to take geographic location into account rather than the national average. The problem is that prices vary greatly by location, with plastic surgery centers like Manhattan, Beverly Hills, Miami, and Los Angeles being at the higher end of the scale.
Lightly populated regions, like the Mid-West, will have substantially cheaper costs in comparison.
Major urban regions, where plastic surgeon overhead costs are often greater, are one reason plastic surgery costs differ widely. Assessing prices depending on your location and the cost of living in that area should be the first step in assessing the pricing. Use the Healthcare Blue Book to get a general idea of procedure costs in your area (works the same as Kelley Blue Book for car prices).
Questions Other Than Cost
Although the price will always be a consideration, one plastic surgeon or clinic should not be chosen over another solely on the basis of cost. There are some additional things to think about:
- knowledgeable about the procedure
- Reviews and ratings from former patients
- Payment and Financing with the Surgeon: Emotional Connection
Breast reduction surgery is frequently carried out for medical and non-cosmetic reasons, thus your insurance plan may occasionally cover the treatment. If you want to be sure, check with your insurance company to see if all or some of the surgery is covered.
Most plastic surgeons provide monthly payment plans and financing options if a patient is interested in going that route for operations not covered by insurance, or if a portion of the surgery is not covered.
There are instances when it’s vital to consider the advantages of financing your surgery when the time is right and you’re ready to make the plunge. Credit cards are almost universally accepted, but patients should carefully weigh the interest rates connected with all of their options. There are a number of third-party financing businesses as well, and they only work with individuals who are interested in receiving treatments that are not covered by insurance.
Don’t skimp on quality
Asking the appropriate questions and picking a knowledgeable plastic surgeon will improve your chances of achieving the ultimate goal of cosmetic surgery—an investment in the finest possible version of yourself.
Related:
- How Long Does It Take For Insurance To Pay?
- How To Get Lipoma Removal Covered By Insurance?
- How To Get Insurance To Pay For Varicose Vein Removal?
- How Much Does An EKG Cost Without Insurance?
- Who Benefits In Investor-Originated Life Insurance?
- How To Find Out If I Have Gap Insurance?
- Why Are Insurance Policies Called Aleatory Contracts?
- How Much Are Antibiotics Without Insurance?