Facts About Breast Implants and Health Insurance

photo of breast implant

For aesthetic purposes, specifically to receive breast implants, the average cost of breast augmentation surgery in the U.S. Was $6550 in 2022, encompassing expenses such as surgeon’s fees, operating room costs, and anesthesia.

Most women who undergo mastectomy for breast cancer will typically have to pay out of their own pockets to have breast implants, even though insurance usually will not cover breast enlargement surgery.

Alternatively, if you require additional surgery in the future, it is possible that your health insurance might not provide coverage for it. Moreover, getting breast implants down the line could potentially impact your insurance premiums.

Prior to undergoing breast augmentation surgery, it is advisable to inquire with your insurance provider about the following five inquiries:

  • Will any of the expenses be covered if I undergo breast augmentation surgery?
  • Will receiving breast implants impact my insurance premiums or coverage?
  • If I experience health issues associated with my breast implants, will the required medical care or operation be provided?
  • Will having breast implants impact my insurance coverage if I later develop breast cancer or other issues with my breasts?
  • I may need additional imaging tests, such as MRIs or mammograms, to cover the breast implants after getting them, for any diagnostic tests.
  • Get the answers in writing and check back with your insurance company every couple of years, since it may change its policy.

    If you’re exploring the expenses of breast implants for aesthetic purposes, you should also take into account:

  • Additional fees may apply during the time of surgery. It is advisable to inquire about all the costs from your doctor, including charges for medications, hospital fees, anesthesia, and implants. Some surgeons include everything in their fee, while others do not.
  • Keep in mind that removing breast implants can cost more than putting them in. The cost of surgery does not include other expenses or the warranty. However, if the implant breaks, the company will offer a replacement at no cost. Some companies offer a lifetime warranty for their implants, but not all implants last forever like most medical devices. Others may need to replace their original implants in later years. For example, some women may want to adjust the position of the implant or may have an allergic reaction. Some women may need additional surgery right away, while others may need another surgery at some point, usually women who get breast implants. Further surgeries.
  • The average price of an MRI in the United States is $2,000. MRIs can be costly. Women who have saline implants do not require these examinations. This is the sole method to ensure that the silicone implant has not ruptured. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests that women with silicone breast implants undergo regular imaging like an MRI or ultrasound to detect implant rupture five to six years after the initial implant and subsequently every two to three years. Diagnostic examinations.
  • If you inquire about the charges for diagnostic services that may not be covered by your health insurance, you might be surprised to find out that additional costs may be incurred for X-ray images. It is important to note that breast implants can potentially affect the accuracy of normal mammograms in women.

    Some women who have had breast implants have found that they encounter difficulties in obtaining health coverage, particularly when considering breast augmentation surgery, which is sometimes classified as a “pre-existing condition” by certain insurance companies.

    The Affordable Care Act prevents health insurance providers from denying coverage to individuals due to pre-existing conditions. Nevertheless, health insurance companies possess the capability to:

  • Increase the cost of premiums.
  • For example, if you have breast implants, some insurers may not provide coverage for diseases of the breast, such as breast cancer. Consider restricting your coverage in such cases.
  • Refuse to provide you with any coverage.
  • Decline to renew your policy.