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Question
Hi
in the past 3 years my left breast has grown a least one cup size larger probably even more. Is it true that by law Insurance companies have to cover fixing that? I have a GHI PPO plan. This is extremely noticeable and very embarrassing. Can lypo be done on that side to correct the imbalance? I've had Mamo's, Sono's & MRI's and it isn't due to a mass or anything.
Thanks
from Dr. Alan Engler
www.bodysculpture.com
Hi Christine,
I can't address the issue of what's required by law but, in general and as far as I understand, insurance companies will typically cover what they believe is medically indicated, but within the limits of the policy. There's a lot of wiggle room there, but that's often the way it is.
Therefore, they are more likely to cover corrective surgery for a problem that is causing pain, discomfort or is dangerous; and are less likely to cover anything that might be deemed cosmetic. The question, then, is whether or not the asymmetry you have is symptomatic on the larger side. The more symptomatic it is, the more likely I believe they would be to cover it.
Your best bet is to see a few surgeons and get an idea based on what they have to say.
I hope that this helps, and good luck,
Dr. Alan Engler
www.bodysculpture.com
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Answers by Expert:
Alan M. Engler, MD, FACS
Expertise
Dr. Engler has answered over 3100 questions as a volunteer expert for AllExperts. His expertise includes breast surgery (breast enlargement with implants, breast reduction, breast lifts), liposuction, eyelid surgery, tummy tucks, facelifts, skin cancers, cysts, etc. Dr. Engler has been listed as one New York`s Top Doctors, and as "One of the World's Most Famous Aesthetic Surgeons" (Aesthetic Surgery, TASCHEN Books, Angelika Taschen, Editor). He is the author of 4 books, including "BodySculpture" (a best-selling plastic surgery book on breast surgery, liposuction and tummy tucks), "EyeScapes" (Plastic Surgery of the Eyelids), "Restylane," and "The Slim Book of Liposuction." Dr. Engler has two US Patents for surgical instruments that he's designed, and has appeared on numerous television shows, including The Tyra Banks Show, The Ricki Lake Show (four times), and the Dr. Keith Ablow Show. Videos of his appearances are available on YouTube (search for "DR. ENGLER"), and his discussion of breast implants, also on YouTube is "How to Choose a Breast Implant." His website is www.bodysculpture.com. Thanks for "Likiing" Dr. Engler on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/Alan-M-Engler-MD-New-York-Plastic-Surgery-and-Aesthetics/107206405967267?ref=ts&__a=8
Experience
Dr. Alan Engler is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York and the author of BodySculpture - Plastic Surgery of the Body for Men and Women (ISBN 0966382749) one of the top-selling plastic surgery books on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, etc.
Education/Credentials
Dr. Engler graduated from Yale University (BA, Russian Studies) and the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (MD). He did his residency training in General Surgery and, after that, Plastic Surgery, at the Montefiore Medical Center in New York. He is on the faculty of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and is a Special Lecturer in the Department of Dermatology at Columbia University in New York. He has admitting privileges at Beth Israel Medical Center and Montefiore Medical Center, both in New York.
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