Image Directed Outpatient Plastic Surgery - John F. Flory, M.D. - Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction surgery has long offered women with large breasts the option for surgically relieving the symptoms of back, neck and shoulder pain that frequently has been associated with large breasts. For over 30 years, breast reduction surgery has been a covered procedure under most health insurance policies. In recent years there has been an increasing denial of coverage based on escalating criteria imposed by many insurers. I have long suspected that it is the goal of the majority of insurance carriers to remove this extremely beneficial procedure from their list of covered benefits. My suspicions have recently been confirmed by multiple sources. In Ohio, United Healthcare is already systematically removing breast reduction coverage on many, if not most, of its contracts when they come up for yearly renewal. Unless the right to breast reduction coverage through health insurance is taken up by women's groups around the country, it will be lost. I urge all women to contact their representatives in Congress to address this issue.

What can you do?

If you have already lost coverage and want to have surgery, one option may be to switch to another insurance company that still covers breast reduction. Unfortunately when switching coverage there can be a one year pre-existing condition waiting period before you qualify. Also, there is no guarantee that your new company won't follow the lead of others and drop coverage of breast reduction surgery before you can get the procedure completed. It appears that breast reduction surgery is currently on its way to becoming a self pay procedure. My office will doing everything it can to help you secure insurance coverage for the procedure.

Making Self-Pay Breast Reductions Affordable

For small to medium breast reductions, less than 600 gm. per side, the procedure can now be performed in our accredited office operating room. The total cost for the small to medium breast reductions is $4,800. Larger breast reductions, more than 600 gm. per side, are performed under general anesthesia in an outpatient surgery Center and their cost is dependent upon the amount of time required to perform the procedure. Total cost for the larger breast reductions can run $5,500-$7,000. A more precise estimate is available after an initial consultation. The initial consultation is usually covered by insurance.

We also work with several financing companies to help increase your options. For more on financing CLICK HERE or click on Financing in the links sections.