The popularity of cosmetic surgery has skyrocketed in recent years. There is an increasing trend among individuals to pursue surgical enhancements of their physical features.
Many individuals, however, are uncertain as to whether or not cosmetic surgery is covered by their health insurance due to its exorbitant price. Find out whether cosmetic surgery is covered by your health insurance by reading on.
What is cosmetic surgery?
A person who elects to undergo an operation or other invasive medical procedure to alter their physical appearance for non-medical, aesthetic purposes engages in cosmetic surgery.
With cosmetic plastic surgery, an individual’s appearance is altered. It could entail, for some, a reconfiguration of the body’s form and contour, the elimination of hairless spots, or the reduction of creases.
Alternative options include varicose vein treatment and breast augmentation. Men and women can select from a variety of cosmetic surgery procedures in order to achieve an image that inspires greater self-assurance and contentment regarding their physical appearance.
While cosmetic procedures are seldom covered by health insurance, the number of individuals electing to undergo cosmetic plastic surgery continues to rise. Facelift, breast augmentation, liposuction, nose contouring, eyelid surgery, and stomach tuck are the leading cosmetic procedures.
What is Health Insurance?
A health insurance policy serves as a guarantee, furnishing prompt financial assistance in the event of a medical emergency. It is an agreement between the insurance company and the policyholder that provides coverage for medical expenses that may arise as a result of an accident, illness, or injury.
A portion or the entirety of medical expenses will be covered by the insurance company if the policyholder has health insurance. In exchange, the policyholder is required to pay a premium. Healthcare expenditures are escalating at a faster rate than medical inflation; therefore, everyone is required to have health insurance.
This coverage not only enables you to accumulate emergency funds and life savings in the event that you or a loved one experience a medical emergency, but also assists you in managing the escalating costs of medical care. In order to ensure one’s safety and security, health insurance should be purchased early in life, while one is still youthful and responsible, according to financial experts.
Early enrollment in a health insurance plan offers a multitude of additional benefits, including enhanced sum insurance coverage, reduced premium rates, and the elimination of the need for medical examinations, among others.
Is Cosmetic Surgery Covered By Health Insurance?
In recent decades, the pharmaceutical and medical sector has experienced tremendous expansion, positioning it as one of the most prominent industries worldwide. Subsequently, substantial progress has been made in the domain of medical tourism.
However, many individuals are hesitant to endure cosmetic procedures due to the exorbitant expense and the fact that they are not covered by a number of health insurance policies. Mediclaim policies are not technically intended or developed to provide coverage for cosmetic surgeries.
Nevertheless, in the event that the procedure is categorized as reconstructive, the medical costs accrued will be adequately reimbursed by your health insurance policy. The principal rationale behind the exclusion of cosmetic procedures and operations from health insurance coverage is that such interventions are not deemed indispensable for preserving quality of life or ensuring proper functioning of bodily systems and organs.
Prior to undergoing cosmetic surgery to enhance the appearance of an external organ or body part, there are a number of considerations that you should keep in mind. This article aims to elucidate the correlation between health insurance plans and cosmetic surgeries, while also providing several crucial considerations for individuals contemplating such procedures.
Expenses Associated with Cosmetic Procedures
The cost and safety of the procedure are the initial considerations when one approaches cosmetic procedures. The coverage of the intended cosmetic surgery under the health insurance policy is determined exclusively by the provider and the plan.
Nevertheless, when health insurance providers evaluate the claim, the primary determinant is whether the operation under consideration was cosmetic surgery or reconstructive surgery.
These two medical procedures are comparable in nature while also being notably dissimilar. To facilitate comprehension, let us examine both of these processes.
- Reconstructive surgery encompasses a range of surgical techniques employed to rectify physical dysfunctions, injuries, diseases, or defects. Accidents or genetic abnormalities could potentially trigger the physical trauma. Surgical procedures of this nature typically aim to normalize the appearance and functionality of the organ or body part in question while also enhancing its overall aesthetic appeal.
- Cosmetic surgery is performed with the intention of enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a specific body segment, as opposed to reconstructive surgery. Patient confidence and self-esteem are enhanced by these procedures.
While cosmetic surgeries are typically not covered by Mediclaim policies, reconstructive surgeries are. It is noteworthy to mention that both procedures are conducted by medical professionals of the same specialty.
When is plastic surgery covered by a Mediclaim policy?
The extent to which your health insurance policy covers plastic surgery is contingent on the provider’s criteria and the medical procedure’s definition. It is essential to know the following in order to comprehend and ascertain whether the procedure is encompassed within your Mediclaim policy:
- The process is cosmetic
- The process is reconstructive
- The process is life-saving
In the majority of instances, health insurance policies will provide coverage for the medical expenses associated with reconstructive or life-saving procedures. The most effective method is to contact your insurance provider directly with all the procedure-specific information in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the coverage’s nuances.
Is it possible to add plastic and cosmetic surgery coverage to my plan?
Cosmetic and plastic surgery coverage can be added to an existing health insurance policy, provided that the provider extends coverage for the aforementioned procedures.
It is imperative to acknowledge that pre-existing medical conditions or maladies, as well as maternity services, are subject to a 12-month waiting period. Nevertheless, this may differ among different insurers.
Conclusion
As the prevalence of cosmetic and plastic surgeries has grown, the quantity of providers offering such services has also increased. Online, you can evaluate, assess, and shortlist various providers before selecting the most cost-effective plan based on your requirements.
SOURCE: Policy Bazzar Blog
