American Society of Plastic Surgeons
For Medical Professionals
 
Kaylap
9 months ago
Answered

Is it covered by medical

I have diastasis recti and I have medical. I have been suffering from back pain because of it. I have been exercising and losing weight but the pain still there. Ii still have it. Would it be a reason to have it covered by insurance?

Procedure: Panniculectomy
Location: Arcata, CA

Replies 3

Samir Shureih

You need to ask your medical insurance. Each insurance company has it's own policy as to what they cover and under what conditions.

To my knowledge and over 30 years experience, no insurance company will cover repair of diatheses for back pain. Back pain can be caused by many issues and repair of diatheses is not a cure for back pain.

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Rahul Vemula
ASPS Surgeon
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Some insurances cover panniculectomy which is removal of skin below the umbilicus ( belly button) and when they do cover this, they have VERY strict criteria that must be met.

In addition, a diastasis is not covered by insurance. This is considered a cosmetic procedure. If your insurance approved a panniculectomy, and you want a diastasis repair, speak to your surgeon regarding how much additional cost this will be.

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Alfred Antonetti
ASPS Surgeon

Just about any woman that has had a pregnancy will have some form of diastasis. It usually does not cause any back pain unless in extreme circumstances. If it is so bad it may be covered by insurance. They would cover the repair of the diastasis but not an abdominoplasty. This would be done by a general surgeon and not a plastic surgeon. No ethical plastic surgeon is going to use repair of diastasis as an excuse for doing an abdominoplasty.

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