Most health insurance plans do not cover liposuction or its complications, as it is considered a cosmetic procedure. However, many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans to help make the procedure more affordable. Liposuction costs typically include anesthesia fees, hospital or surgical facility costs, and the surgeon’s fee. It is important to discuss all costs and payment options with your surgeon before undergoing the procedure to ensure you are fully informed and prepared financially.
They are only reimbursed if covered under a customer’s medical benefit. Breast Reconstruction and Prostheses are covered under the EPA benefit. Mastectomy bras are covered following a mastectomy under a customer’s medical benefit.
In recent years, improved techniques have made liposuction safer, easier, and less painful.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that aims to remove excess fat deposits from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, arms, and neck. It is commonly performed for cosmetic reasons to enhance body contours and improve self-confidence. Liposuction is not a weight loss solution, but rather a way to target and remove stubborn fat that is resistant to diet and exercise.
Liposuction removes fat from your body using suction. During the procedure, small, thin, blunt-tipped tubes (cannula) are inserted through tiny cuts in the skin. Fat is suctioned out through these tubes as the doctor moves the tubes around under the skin to target specific fat deposits.
How Does Liposuction Work?
In liposuction, a plastic surgeon applies pressure to the body to get rid of fat that isn’t good for it. The surgeon makes small cuts in the body and inserts a thin tube called a cannula. Something that suckers on the tube helps get rid of the fat cells.
Depending on the patient’s wishes and the amount of work that needs to be done, liposuction can be done with either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. In order to get the results he or she wants, the surgeon carefully shapes the area being worked on, making it look better balanced and more beautiful.
Different Types of Liposuction
These days, there are several ways to do liposuction. The method chosen depends on the patient’s wishes, the surgeon’s level of skill, and the part of the body that needs to be fixed. Many people get liposuction in the following ways:
- The type of liposuction that is done most often is called plumbing. A lot of weak local anesthetic is put into the area that needs work before the fat is taken out.
- Laser-Assisted Liposuction: Heat from the laser melts the fat cells, then they are suctioned out. This makes the process simpler and less painful.
- To help with liposuction, ultrasound waves are used to break down fat cells, which makes them easier to get rid of.
- In this type of liposuction, a buzzing needle is used to break up the fat cells, which makes them easier to get rid of.
- The best way to find out what kind of liposuction will work best for you is to talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon.
The Benefits of Liposuction
Some people want to look better and lose weight. Liposuction can help them do both. These are some great things about liposuction:
- Getting rid of fat that surgery can’t reach can make you look toned and healthy.
- Many people feel better about their bodies when they put on weight, but it can also make you feel less sure of yourself and lower your self-esteem.
- Things that work well and last: After being handled, fat cells don’t usually come back. To get benefits that last, though, you need to be healthy.
- Liposuction can help you live a better life. It can be good for your health to be less likely to get diseases linked to being fat.
Will Cigna Pay for Liposuction
The coverage for liposuction by Cigna insurance depends on various factors, including the reason for the procedure and the individual’s specific insurance plan. In general, Cigna insurance does not cover liposuction for purely cosmetic purposes. However, if liposuction is deemed medically necessary, such as in cases where excess fat causes physical discomfort or health issues, there may be a possibility of coverage.
If imaging studies (mammography, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) show that a silicone gel-filled breast implant has ruptured or the contents have come out, Cigna will pay for the removal of the implant, with or without a capsulectomy, as long as it is medically necessary.
To determine if Cigna will pay for liposuction, it’s crucial to review your insurance policy and consult with a healthcare professional. They can assess your situation, provide guidance, and help you understand the potential coverage options available to you.
The Process of Getting Liposuction Covered by Cigna
Follow these steps if you think Cigna will cover your liposuction as a medical necessity. This will make sure the claims process goes smoothly. This is what happens, just to quickly go over it:
A board-certified plastic surgeon can help you figure out if liposuction is the right choice for you by meeting with you to talk about your problems. Be sure to take care of any health issues or pain that may be caused by being overweight.
Before you get liposuction, you should call Cigna insurance to find out what they do. This is a very important step in checking to see if the task is covered. Your surgeon may be asked to send paperwork, such as important medical papers and proof, to help your case.
Medical Necessity and papers: Carefully work with your plastic surgeon and primary care doctor to gather all the necessary medical records and papers to support the medical necessity of the operation. Any relevant information can be put here, such as pictures and the results of health exams.
As soon as your surgeon has all the necessary paperwork, they can send the claim to Cigna to be looked at. Your insurance company will decide how to handle the claim after looking at the terms of your coverage and the medical needs of the treatment.
Claims Review: The liposuction claim will be looked at by Cigna to see if the service is covered. If you need to, keep in touch with your insurance company. Also, be patient; this process could take a while.
How to File an Appeal: If Cigna says no to paying for liposuction, you can ask them to think again. Talking to your therapist and healthcare provider can help you understand the appeals process and get any extra information that can help your case.
Following these steps and working closely with your doctor and insurance company can speed up the process of getting Cigna to pay for your liposuction.
Which is Cheaper: Liposuction or Tummy Tuck?
It’s important to keep in mind that the prices of liposuction and tummy tuck can change based on a number of things. Some of these factors are the location, the skill level of the surgery, the length of the treatment, and any extra costs like anesthesia and facility fees. Most of the time, liposuction is thought to be less invasive and less expensive than a belly tuck.
Cost of Liposuction
Liposuction can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $7,000 or more, based on the things we talked about above. To get a good quote based on your specific wants and goals, you should talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon. The price usually includes the surgeon’s fee, the cost of drugs, the cost of the facility, and care after the surgery.
Cost of a Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck, on the other hand, is a more thorough treatment that involves getting rid of extra skin and making the abdominal muscles tighter. A tummy tuck can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000 or more, which is more than liposuction. Like liposuction, the total cost will depend on a number of factors, and you should talk to a skilled surgeon to get a good idea.
Is Lipo and Tummy Tuck the Same?
The goal of both liposuction and tummy tuck is to improve the way your body looks, but they are not the same. To make a smart choice, you should know what the main differences are between these two methods.
Lifting of fat
The goal of liposuction surgery is to get rid of extra fat in certain parts of the body. A tiny tube called a cannula is used to suck out the fat. The surgery is usually done through small cuts. Liposuction is a great choice for people who have pockets of fat that won’t go away no matter how much they workout or diet. But it’s not meant to get rid of saggy skin or strengthen abdominal muscles.
Lower ab lift
A tummy tuck, which is also called an abdominoplasty, is surgery that changes the shape of the stomach. It is often done to get rid of extra skin and fat and make the abdominal muscles tighter. A tummy tuck is the best option for people who have soft skin and weak abdominal muscles because of getting older, pregnancy, or losing a lot of weight.
Liposuction FAQs
Do you know if surgery can help you lose weight? Answer: Liposuction is not a way to lose weight. It works best for getting rid of localized fat that won’t go away with food and exercise.
If I get liposuction, will the benefits last forever? Answer: The fat cells that are taken during liposuction can’t come back. It is important to live a healthy life, though, so that new fat cells don’t form.
What people often ask: Is liposuction painful? Answer: You won’t feel any pain during liposuction because it is done under anesthesia. You can expect some pain and discomfort during the healing time, though.
How long does it take to get better after liposuction? The healing time can be different for each person and depends on how extensive the treatment was. Within a week or two, most people can go back to work and do other normal things.
Can liposuction get rid of cellulite? Liposuction is not a good way to get rid of cellulite. There are, however, other methods that are meant to get rid of cellulite.
Can liposuction be done along with other procedures? If you want to get full body contouring benefits, you can mix liposuction with other procedures like breast augmentation or a tummy tuck.
Conclusion
Finally, it’s important to think about your own wants and goals when deciding whether liposuction or a tummy tuck is cheaper. Liposuction is usually less expensive than a tummy tuck, but you should talk to a skilled plastic surgeon to get an exact quote based on your unique situation. Remember that price shouldn’t be the only thing that influences your choice. Think about how well each process works, what risks it might have, and what you want to happen. You can make an informed choice that fits your goals for body enhancement if you do a lot of study on your options and talk to a professional.
