We love our curves — but sometimes, our curves are just too curvy. That’s right, we’re talking about our beloved breasts. Whether it’s due to genetics, post-breastfeeding, or aging, some ladies have bigger breasts than they may wish. There are many reasons a woman may want a breast reduction: back pain, aches, discomfort, other medical issues, aesthetic purposes, etc. Whatever the reason you may want a breast reduction, it’s important to know the overall costs, payment details, and insurance options.
How Much is a Breast Reduction?
Overall, the average cost for a breast reduction is around $6,000. This average does not include the cost for anesthesia, operating room facilities, additional medications, and other expenses which vary depending on cosmetic surgeon. And of course, the final amount varies depending on location, doctor, specific needs, and so on. It is always best to contact your cosmetic surgeon about the final fee and what it will include for your specific wishes. And as always, it’s best to always choose quality over quantity — you get what you pay for!
Below are two categories to help you gauge what you might be paying for your breast reduction: For Medical Reasons and For Aesthetic Reasons. Read below for more!
Does Insurance Cover Breast Reduction?
Breast Reductions for Medical Reasons
If you’re looking to get a breast reduction for medical reasons including aches, pains, inability to exercise comfortably, rashes, bra grooves, and other health-related issues, you may be eligible for health insurance coverage. Depending on your health insurance, it could pay for costs including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. If you’re considering breast reduction for health related reasons, talk to your insurance agent about what options your health insurance covers!
Do Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicaid, or Tricare Cover Breast Reduction Surgery?
Yes! But, it depends on a few logistics. Eligibility for insurance coverage generally requires that you be experiencing symptoms for at least 6 months and have tried other methods of solving the problem. Make sure you double-check the cosmetic facility to make sure they accept your specific insurance coverage.
Check out these insurance company’s policy on breast reduction coverage below!
How to Get Insurance to Pay for Breast Reduction
The bottom line is that as long as your doctor deems breast reduction surgery as a medically necessary procedure, almost all insurance plans will cover surgery costs. While it varies from coverage to coverage, this generally means getting written confirmation from your doctor, official photographs, and (potentially) evidence of testing.
Breast Reductions for Aesthetic Reasons
If you are looking to get a breast reduction surgery exclusively for aesthetic reasons and no health side-effects, then insurance will not cover your breast reduction surgery. However, it is always best to explore what options constitute health-related reasons for breast reduction surgery — for example, surgery due to inability to exercise comfortably or surgery for psychological reasons can still constitute health-related reasons. As stated before, as long as your doctor deems breast reduction necessary, insurance will help cover your cost.
Nonetheless, even if you do want breast reduction surgery simply for aesthetic purposes, there are lots of payment plan options to help! Here at Aesthetica, we’re looking to best help you achieve the body you want without breaking your bank.
Ready for the next step?
If you’re interested in learning more about breast reduction, learning whether your insurance covers your procedure, and what options are best for you, we invite you to simply come in for a complimentary consultation with Dr. Chang or one of the cosmetic laser and injection nurses to explore whether you would make a good candidate. To find out more whether Aesthetica can help you, contact us online or at 703-729-5553 to arrange an appointment. Dr. Phillip Chang is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Northern Virginia near Leesburg, Virginia and an expert in a wide variety of cosmetic treatments.
NOTE: We don’t take insurance or work with insurance companies. Patients pay for the surgery upfront and we provide them with a superbill, and other documents they may need to apply for reimbursement.
Let Us Help You!
Our office can provide you with helpful information, schedule a free consultation, and walk you through the many services and procedures we provide.
Contact Dr. Chang's Office:
More Articles For You
Get a Head Start on Summer: Why January is the Perfect Time for Laser Hair Removal in Leesburg, VA
7 min readRight now, it’s all about cozy layers, sweatpants, and snuggling up with a
TNS Recovery Complex® for Different Skin Types: Customizing Your Treatment in Leesburg, VA
5 min readMaybe you’ve experienced the rejuvenating power of DiamondGlow enhanced with SkinMedica and are
Exosomes and Pigmentation: Enhancing Laser Treatment Results for Even Skin Tone
7 min readYou’ve just had a long week juggling work, friends, and everything in between.
Exosomes: The Key to Minimizing Post-Laser Treatment Downtime
7 min readLaser skin treatments have long been a go-to solution for various skin concerns,