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insurance plastic surgery

What Types of Plastic Surgery Does Insurance Cover?

Will Insurance Cover Plastic Surgery?

More people than ever are getting plastic surgery to look and feel their very best. One the first question we are asked by patients at our Birmingham cosmetic surgery practice is “Will Insurance Cover Plastic Surgery?” The answer depends upon the type of surgery you are having, as well as the reasons you are having it. 

If a plastic surgery procedure is considered “purely cosmetic” (with no medical benefit), health insurance will typically not cover the procedure. However, there are a dozen or so cosmetic surgeries that insurance policies may cover if certain conditions are met.  If a patient can prove medical necessity, all of the surgeries listed below may be at least partially covered by insurance.

“Nose Job” Surgery

Rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, may be covered by your insurance in cases where the nose’s structure makes it difficult to breathe. An example of this is a deviated septum, which can cause many health problems like pain, nosebleeds, and obstruction of nostrils.

Eyelid Lift Surgery

Blepharoplasty, or an eyelid lift, can be done on the upper and lower eyelids, and for both cosmetic and medical reasons. If it can be shown that the surgery falls into the latter category, your insurance may cover it.

One common medical reason for blepharoplasty is when extra skin puts too much weight on the eyelid, causing obstruction of vision. Insurance may also cover an eyelid lift when vision is impaired by muscles of the upper eyelid stretching too much over time. If insurance coverage is sought, you will likely have to provide medical documentation from an eye doctor.

Ear Reshaping Surgery

Though less common than eyelid surgeryOtoplasty, or ear reshaping surgery, can similarly be covered if the anatomy of the ear impairs hearing. Various anatomical conditions pertaining to position and proportion of the ear can interfere with hearing.

Mole Removal Surgery

Some people love their Moles, also referred to as “beauty marks.” Others prefer they be removed. If a mole is deemed “suspicious,” pre-cancerous, or cancerous by a doctor, insurance typically covers the removal procedure.

Having a mole removal done by a board certified plastic surgeon ensures that there is minimal or no scarring, and that you are not left with any disfigurement.

Breast Surgery

Typically most breast procedures, including augmentation (implants), lifts, and reductions, are considered cosmetic, and therefore not covered by insurance. In cases where the breast surgery is deemed reconstructive (as opposed to solely cosmetic), insurance typically covers all or part of it. An example of this would be following a mastectomy due to breast cancer. In fact, 1998 legislation mandated that insurance cover not only reconstruction of the removed breast, but also for work on the remaining breast for symmetry purposes.

Another reason some insurance companies may cover breast surgery is for relief of severe discomfort. Breast reduction procedures, and possibly a breast lift, would be two such examples.  The weight of some women’s breasts may cause back, neck, and shoulder pain and could warrant medically necessary surgery. As with any insurance claim, sufficient documentation of the condition must be supplied by the woman’s doctors and health care providers. At AMAE Plastic Surgery we do not accept insurance for breast reduction surgery.

Other Plastic Surgery Procedures Covered by Insurance

Other cosmetic procedures that insurance will sometimes cover include, but aren’t limited to, tummy tucks, butt lifts, bunion removal, and varicose veins removal. Again, the most important criteria is that these surgeries are deemed medically necessary and/or are used for pain relief. For the best information about insurance coverage, it’s always best for policyholders to contact their insurance companies directly – and then check with our office to see if we accept insurance for the desired procedure.

Best Plastic Surgery – Birmingham, MI

If you’re interested in seeing what plastic surgery procedures might be covered by your insurance, you may call us at  248-335-7200 to speak with our caring and informative office staff.

With over 7,000 plastic surgery procedures to his name, board-certified Dr. M. Azhar Ali is an outstanding Birmingham area plastic surgeon, who offers experienced, compassionate care to all patients. If your procedure is one for which we accept insurance, we will work with your insurance company and make every effort to help you obtain coverage for your medically necessary plastic surgery.

 

Is Plastic Surgery a Good Graduation Gift?

Rochester Hills, MI – Graduation marks a time of great accomplishment, and students who flip their tassels are about to embark on a life-changing journey filled with not only self-discovery but also reinvention. In previous years, parents proud of their progeny graduating high school gifted their sons or daughters a car, if they could afford it. Now, more parents are giving their children plastic surgery as a gift, and Detroit’s own Dr. M. Azhar Ali has definitely noticed the trend in his Detroit area plastic surgery practice.

Plastic Surgery for Grads on the Rise

Dr. Ali said, “Plastic surgery as a gift after graduation makes sense. This is a time when the student is going off to college and wants to make the very best first impression. The months following high school graduation and before college begins is also an optimum time to heal following surgery.”

The increase in procedures for younger patients isn’t exclusive to Detroit. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, millennials (those aged 19-34) accounted for nearly 18% of all cosmetic procedures performed last year.

Cosmetic Procedures for Men & Women

One might suspect that primarily women would represent the upsurge in plastic surgery procedures for recent high school grads, but that would be incorrect. While most younger patients are female, and breast implants are one of the most common procedures requested by young women as graduation presents, a growing number of men are also asking for plastic surgery gift certificates.

In fact, cosmetic procedures for men have seen an increase of 100% over the last five years, with liposuction, nose jobs, ear shaping, and gynecomastia surgery being the most preferred.

Dr. Ali said, “Many of my younger female patients spent their entire high school years feeling ashamed of their smaller busts. Breast augmentation gives them a surge of confidence that can serve them in all areas of life. But both men and women are opting for facial procedures like facelifts, eyelid reshaping, and rhinoplasty to give them an edge in college, and in the business world beyond college.”

Dr. Ali has noticed that other procedures are also experiencing a boost in popularity with recent grads, such as laser treatments to treat acne scars, and the new fat-freezing technique known as CoolSculpting.

With college looming, many grads fear they won’t fit in. Still, others want an edge when they head into corporate world with fresh degrees under their arms. Will this trend of plastic surgery as graduation gifts continue to rise?

“I expect to see more procedures performed on grads in the coming years. As technology makes plastic surgery safer and more effective, there is no better time to give your college grad a significant boost of self-esteem, and to start them on the next phase of their life on the right foot.

To learn more about plastic surgery procedures for young college grads, call (248) 335-7200 or email Michigan Plastic Surgeon Dr. M. Azhar Ali, serving the areas of Detroit, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills, Clarkston, Troy, and Farmington Hills.

About Dr. Ali: With over 11 years of training following medical school and thousands of plastic surgery procedures to his credit, Dr. M. Azhar Ali has become one of the most prominent Plastic Surgeons in the Detroit, Michigan area.

coolsculping and Lipo

Be Swimsuit Season Ready This Year with CoolSculpting or Lipo!

Bloomfield Hills, MI– With warmer weather comes more outdoor activity, including trips to the beach or pool. While the word swimsuit may strike fear in the hearts of some, Detroit-area plastic surgeon Dr. Ali is prepared.

“We are lucky to live in a time where many people can attain their ideal body results relatively quickly. With procedures like CoolSculpting and liposuction, virtually anyone can be ready for swimsuit season in very little time,” notes the surgeon.

CoolSculpting

Developed by Harvard University Scientists, CoolSculpting is the only non-surgical fat treatment option approved by the FDA.

“I love offering this treatment to patients, as there is little to no downtime and no surgical procedure is required,” says Dr. Ali. “The best part is, patients experience amazing results that they could not otherwise achieve.”

Candidates for CoolSculpting are those who would like to lose fat in the following areas: flanks, thighs, abdomen, back, and/or under the chin. Those interested in the procedure should be at or near their ideal body weight and have a body mass index (BMI) under 30.

This procedure can be done quickly in a doctor’s office and patients can resume their daily activities immediately after treatment. During the procedure, patients are conscious and can read, use electronic devices, or rest.

Since CoolSculpting freezes fat cells, the body will take a few weeks to break down and expel the dead tissue. This means that though patients may not see results in the minutes and hours after their procedure, a dramatic difference will likely be noticed in the upcoming weeks. Fat cells will continue to leave the body for up to six months after the initial treatment.

Liposuction

For those seeking to get rid of stubborn fat that is too difficult to get rid of by diet or exercise, liposuction is another option.

A much more dramatic and invasive procedure than CoolSculpting, liposuction is a surgery that removes deep fat tissue using a device to literally suck the fat out of the body. Any area with fat cells may be targeted, though areas commonly treated are: the abdomen, thighs, back, and upper arms. Performed under general or intravenous sedation, liposuction must be done by an experienced professional for safe and lasting results.

“Liposuction is the most commonly utilized plastic surgery today,” Dr. Ali explains. “Patients generally love the long-lasting results achieved by this technique, and most are able to return to work within a day or two.”

Liposuction results can take up to nine months to fully show, but patients note dramatic changes within a few weeks to months after surgery.

Seeking Professional Care

With summer drawing ever nearer, Dr. Ali reminds patients, “The earlier you consult with a plastic surgeon, the sooner you will achieve your desired results. Remember, some of these procedures can take a few months to give you the body you want.”

To get started immediately, schedule an appointment with Dr. Ali and his team in Michigan today! You can also call 855-335-7200 to speak with the office directly.

About Us: Detroit area plastic surgeon Dr. M. Azhar Ali and his team are skilled and knowledgeable aesthetic care professionals well-versed in procedures like CoolSculpting and liposuction. Board-certified Dr. Ali has won numerous awards and has thousands of surgeries under his belt. He and his team offer competent, experienced and compassionate care to all patients.

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